Traffic Flows Smoothly as Returning Travellers Begin Congesting Jakarta-Merak Rest Area KM 43

A growing number of vehicles participating in the Eid 2026 exodus began using the rest area at KM 43 on the Jakarta-Merak toll road in Jayanti, Tangerang Regency, Banten, heading towards ferry terminals bound for Sumatra.

Most returning travellers arrived with their families to rest and refuel their vehicles at the rest area before continuing their long journeys. Several posts and service facilities provided by various agencies including police, Pertamina, ASDP, and local government authorities were ready for use by travellers.

Darmawan (58), a returning traveller from Jakarta, stated that he and his family intended to return to their hometown in Lampung. He chose to depart early to avoid congestion before reaching Merak Port en route to Bakauheni Port.

“Fortunately, my child’s school holiday has started and my work in Jakarta is finished, so I decided to leave early,” Darmawan said on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

Darmawan and his family departed from Tebet, South Jakarta at 10:25 WIB and arrived at the KM 43 Jakarta-Merak rest area around 12:10 WIB. He reported that traffic flow during the journey was quite smooth.

“I estimate we’ll arrive at the port around 14:30 WIB. We’re travelling at a leisurely pace, no rush. The conditions are still fairly clear,” he stated.

Meanwhile, observations of traffic conditions on the Jakarta-Tangerang toll road, particularly towards Merak, remained congested but flowing. Vehicles passing through were predominantly private cars and family vehicles.

Earlier, the Tangerang Police Traffic Unit (Satlantas) under Banten Police had predicted that peak traffic congestion during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri exodus in their jurisdiction would occur on 18 March 2026.

Iptu Asep Dedi Budiman, Head of the Traffic Regulation, Protection, Escort, and Patrol Unit (Turjawali) of Tangerang Police, stated that based on coordination meeting results, the surge in exodus traffic for this period would show quite significant increases.

“Given that this week marks the start of the joint holiday period for workers and civil servants, we predict the peak exodus flow on 18 March 2026,” he said.