But it may take longer than you think to get past the intensified security in place since Jemaah Islamiah detainee Mas Selamat Kastari escaped.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issued an alert to motorists this week to expect slow-moving traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas at certain times.

For those leaving Singapore, the build-up is expected from this evening. And if you are returning, the worst times are likely to be from Sunday to Monday.

You could try to avoid the congestion by changing your travel plans to avoid the peak periods, the ICA said.

But if you really must go during the busiest times, brace yourself for the worst and try to make things bearable for everyone by staying in your lane, the ICA added. It might also help to car-pool or use public transport.

At about 5pm yesterday, cars were already crowding the departure lanes at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

Businessman Richard Gu, 40, who lives in Johor, said he beat the peak-period jam by reaching the checkpoint at about 5.30pm.

He sailed through in just 15 minutes.

But it was a different story last week when he got to the checkpoint after 6pm.

'The jam usually gets really bad from about 6pm. Last Friday, I was stuck in traffic for over two hours,' he recalled.

Research analyst Sofiah Jamil, 25, is a regular weekend visitor to Johor but is staying put in Singapore this time.

'I would love to go there this weekend, but the jams are a waste of time and that will dampen the holiday mood,' she said.

diothman@sph.com.sg