People often opt for a private vehicle for Eid homecoming. On the one hand, driving your car is more convenient and can be done at any time regardless of timetable. However, people may need to make a good calculation of the costs of homecoming.
These costs will depend on the distance and time spent on the road. Not only that, it can be even higher if you visit more than one place. For this reason, let’s start setting up this year’s homecoming budget now.
Eid Homecoming Cost Estimates You Should Prepare for
Some of the costs that you must prepare include fuel, toll fees, and food. Here is a breakdown of the estimated costs that you need to prepare:
1. Fuel Cost
The first thing you need to consider is the fuel budget. Several factors influence how much you can afford to spend on gas. Cars with smaller engine capacity tend to be more fuel-efficient. However, these types of cars can only accommodate a small number of people and luggage.
On the other hand, driving a bigger car is usually more costly in terms of fuel. The RON 92 gasoline costs around Rp13,000—Rp14,000 per liter. Lesser RON gasoline costs Rp10.000 per liter.
For example, if you are traveling from Jakarta to Surabaya, which is approximately 785 km, you’ll need around 50—55 liters of gas, costing around Rp2,800,000—Rp3,000,000.
2. Toll Fees
Although toll roads may seem like an additional cost, they make traveling much more efficient. Using toll road services will cut down the distance and duration of your journey compared to regular roads. Especially for traveling along Jawa Island with the Trans Java Toll Road Network already in place.
That is why toll fees need to be carefully budgeted and detailed. The fees may vary depending on the distance and destination. The farther the journey, the higher the costs.
For instance, a trip from Jakarta to Surabaya using the Trans Java Toll Road Network will cost approximately Rp84,000 for a class I private car. If you plan on a round-trip journey, the cost must be multiplied by two. Make sure you top up your Flazz on myBCA before traveling. For more details, check out information about Flazz features here.
3. Meal and Drink Expenses
Don’t travel on an empty stomach. You will also need to eat and drink during the trip. If you are traveling before iftar, you need to budget for food and drinks to break your fast.
The cost will depend on the number of people traveling and food prices. The more members traveling, the higher the cost of food and drink for the trip.
4. Accommodation Expenses
For some trips, this one needs to be included as well. Sometimes the family home is not big enough to accommodate all family members. This leaves some family members requiring additional lodging.
Other unforeseen circumstances may also require hours of traveling. When this happens, you might need to book accommodation for a short break before continuing your journey. Resting is also important to maintain safety during Eid homecoming.
5. Costs of Car Maintenance
Your car needs to be in good condition for your homecoming journey. You can do this by having it serviced before the trip. This initial service is done to ensure that all parts of the car are functioning properly. Also, make sure to have your vehicle serviced again upon your return to restore its performance after a long journey.
The cost of a car maintenance may vary. For an oil change, you should prepare a budget of Rp400,000—Rp500,000. It can increase if there are spare parts that need to be repaired or replaced.
Tips for Budget-Friendly Homecoming by Car
There are some smart steps to save on homecoming costs that you can do. Here are some of them:
1. Drive at Normal Speed
Fuel consumption does not always have to do with mileage. Your car’s speed can also determine your fuel consumption. The faster you drive, the more fuel you’ll consume. Therefore, make sure to only drive at a normal speed throughout the journey.
2. Be Mindful of Your Car’s AC Usage
Car Air Conditioning also plays a big role in fuel consumption. Your car will consume more fuel when the AC is constantly switched on in full-blast mode. Therefore, try to modulate the use of your AC during the trip. If the temperature isn’t too hot, you can turn down or turn off the AC to save gas.
3. Bringing Food from Home
Another way to save money is to bring food and drinks from home. That way, you don’t need to spend so much on food during the trip. Hence, reducing your expenses.
4. Carry Enough Items
Bringing too much stuff will overload your vehicle. This means your car will have to work harder. As a result, it will cost you more money on refuels.
5. Avoid Traffic Jams
The best way to save money during a Homecoming trip is to avoid traffic jams. You can leave early in the morning to enjoy freer roads. Try to take a short break if you feel the traffic jam is overwhelming. Not only is it good for the car but taking a short break is also good for restoring your concentration while driving.
Do you want to save more money and enjoy the homecoming trip? Use the myBCA app from your mobile phone. You can do a lot of things in one application. You can make transactions using the cardless feature in many places. For more details, check the information about the Cardless feature here.