Trapped in Hours-Long Traffic Jam for Hometown Visit
Ricky Maex Roly Sindsister, a seblak restaurant owner, did not anticipate being trapped in traffic congestion at Hutan Cekik, Jembrana, Bali, whilst travelling home to Desa Suluk, Madiun Regency, East Java. He had deliberately departed on Friday evening (13 March 2026) to avoid congestion.
Moreover, Ricky had wanted to try the Probolinggo-Situbondo-Banyuwangi Toll Road, specifically the Gending-Besuki section, which had been inaugurated for operation on Saturday (14 March 2026) to facilitate smooth homecoming traffic flow.
Ricky also anticipated that the peak mudik (annual homecoming) traffic from Bali to Java would occur the following Sunday. “I thought the peak traffic would be on the 15th,” he told detikBali on Saturday (14 March 2026) in the early morning hours.
Instead of smooth sailing, Ricky and his wife, travelling in a black car, found themselves stuck in traffic at Hutan Cekik. Their vehicle’s movement stuttered from 01:00 Wita onwards. Three hours later, they only reached the gates of Gilimanuk Harbour.
Ricky could only accept being stuck in traffic resignedly. He was forced to have his pre-dawn meal inside the car, consisting of nasi jinggo (a ball of rice with shredded chicken, noodles, and sambal wrapped in banana leaves).
According to Ricky, traffic management on the road leading to Gilimanuk Harbour is critically important to prevent homecomers from being stuck in hours-long congestion. Denpasar-Gilimanuk National Road is a vital access route connecting Gilimanuk Harbour and Denpasar.
“It would be better to divert vehicles from Gilimanuk towards Denpasar via Singaraja, even though that is a detour,” said the man residing on Gang XII, Letda Reta Street, Denpasar.
Similarly, Sobin Jamil was also trapped in traffic at Hutan Cekik whilst travelling home to Tuban, East Java. The 20-year-old man had departed from Sesetan, Denpasar, on Friday afternoon. “I only departed now because I had a lot of work,” he said.
According to detikBali observations, trucks, buses, minibuses, and cars were crammed into Hutan Cekik, all heading towards Gilimanuk Harbour simultaneously.
Congestion on Denpasar-Gilimanuk National Road became inevitable. Congestion worsened because some drivers and motorcyclists overtook through the right lane. As a result, vehicles travelling from Gilimanuk Harbour towards Denpasar could not move. Complete standstill!
Several passengers and drivers chose to wait outside their vehicles, sitting at the roadside. Some walked merely to stretch their muscles. Car engines were switched off to conserve fuel or prevent engines from stalling due to excessive heat.
A police officer shouted, “motorcycles to the left, motorcycles to the left.” Motorcycles that had taken the right lane were directed to travel along the left side of the road so that vehicles from the opposite direction could move. Meanwhile, cars that had already taken the right lane were directed to the roadside.
Several people were observed walking whilst carrying bags. Others pulled luggage. They walked towards Gilimanuk Harbour on foot.
After passing through Hutan Cekik, cars and motorcycles were directed to use an alternative route. The residential road, approximately two metres wide, was situated alongside Denpasar-Gilimanuk National Road.
A row of food and beverage stalls stood there. Additionally, signs reading ‘toilet’ were planted along the road. The toilet tariff was set at Rp 5,000.
detikBali purchased nasi jinggo at one stall. The price was Rp 10,000, double the price of nasi jinggo in Denpasar. Pop Mie instant noodles were priced at Rp 10,000.
Previously, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (State-Owned Enterprise) Gilimanuk Branch had predicted that the peak mudik traffic at Gilimanuk Harbour in 2026 would occur on Sunday (15 March).
“We predict the peak homecoming traffic will occur on 15 March, whilst the peak return traffic is estimated to be on 26 March 2026,” said Didi Juliansyah, Business Manager of PT ASDP Gilimanuk, to detikBali contributor I Putu Adi Budiastrawan.
This year, the number of homecomers crossing from Bali to Java via Gilimanuk is predicted to increase by approximately 5 per cent compared to last year.
“We urge service users to ensure their travel documents and vehicle condition are prepared before undertaking long-distance travel and to travel home earlier,” advised Didi.