That One Time I Forgot to Top Up My Toll Card…

Today was an unplanned adventure. My family asked me to pick up my sister-in-law from Bandung — a city nestled in the highlands about 150 kilometers away. With barely any preparation, I grabbed my keys, started the engine, and hit the road.

Everything was smooth sailing until I reached the final toll gate. That’s when it hit me — I hadn’t topped up my e-toll card.

Panic mode: ON. Cars started piling up behind me. Horns blared. I could feel the heat of a hundred annoyed stares through their windshields. But with the speed of The Flash, I pulled out my phone, opened the app, and topped up my card in record time — maybe 5 or 7 seconds tops. It was one of those “thank-tech-for-existing” moments. A quick tap at the gate, and I was back on track, adrenaline still pumping.

After a short chat with my sister-in-law and her husband, I headed back to Jakarta — surprisingly, with zero traffic. No stops, no breaks. Just five straight hours of driving, a little regret, and a whole lot of reflection.

Lesson Learned:

Always prep, even for small things. A tiny oversight can become a major stress point — especially when people are honking behind you 😅.

Next time? I’m checking everything twice. Toll balance, fuel, snacks — maybe even a playlist to keep the spirits up.

Drive safe, folks.