Travelers planning to drive in Bali should take note of an important schedule change. Bali Mandara Toll Road will temporarily stop operating during the Nyepi Day celebration in 2026, which may affect travel plans across the island.
The toll road will be closed for about 32 hours in observance of Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence marking the Saka New Year 1948. The closure will begin on Wednesday, March 18, at 11:00 PM WITA and continue until Friday, March 20, at 07:00 AM WITA.
Because the island shuts down during Nyepi, toll road activity must also pause. Authorities expect the closure to cause a significant increase in traffic before the holiday begins. Toll operators estimate that vehicle numbers could surge on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, reaching around 27,000 vehicles in a single day.
President Director of Jasa Marga Bali Tol, I Ketut Adiputra Karang, confirmed that the decision follows Bali’s long-standing tradition during Nyepi, when all public activity temporarily stops.
“The toll road will be closed for approximately 32 hours. This follows the observance of Nyepi in Bali when all activities are temporarily stopped,” he said during a press conference discussing the operational readiness of Bali Mandara Toll Road ahead of Nyepi and Eid on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Although the toll road will not operate normally during that period, exceptions will be made for emergency situations. Vehicles such as ambulances carrying patients or responding to urgent medical needs will still be allowed to pass if necessary.
To prepare for the expected surge in traffic before the closure and ahead of the upcoming Eid holiday period, toll operators have introduced several operational measures.
Manager of Operation and Maintenance at PT Jasamarga Bali Tol (JBT), I Putu Gandi Ginantra, explained that the company has strengthened services and monitoring along the toll road.
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One of the key preparations is the establishment of a service post for road users. The post has been operating since March 11, 2026, and is located in the drive-thru area beneath the Benoa Flyover. The facility allows drivers to access information and receive assistance more easily during their journey.
Monitoring systems have also been expanded. A total of 117 surveillance cameras have been installed along the toll road to observe traffic flow and ensure smoother operations.
Weather monitoring is also part of the preparation. Bali has recently experienced frequent rain and strong winds, so toll operators have installed wind sensors at several toll gates to track weather conditions that may affect road safety.
“We have also prepared 12 mobile reader units to speed up transactions at toll gates and provided around 15,000 toll cards for users who run out of balance,” Gandi said.
He added that road users who require assistance can contact the toll road call center by dialing 133, which operates 24 hours a day.
