Coachella Weekend Two Brings Another Wave of Traffic Starting Thursday

The second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicks off Friday, but the traffic impact starts a day earlier. Thousands of campers will begin arriving at the Empire Polo Grounds on Thursday morning, funneling through Jefferson and Monroe Streets from as early as 5 a.m. through noon, according to CV Sync Traffic Program Manager Kris Gunterson.

Gunterson says Thursday's camper arrival last weekend went relatively smoothly, though drivers should still build extra time into their morning commutes. Washington Street, near the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, will also get busy on Friday as festivalgoers pick up wristbands.

From there, all three main corridors, Jefferson, Monroe, and Washington, will see heavy afternoon traffic from around 3 to 6 p.m. each day through Sunday as festivalgoers come and go.

The cycle wraps up the following Monday, when campers begin heading home and the exit congestion starts all over again, much like this past Monday's Weekend One departure, when Gunterson warned Interstate 10 would be severely backed up for most of the day.

If your route takes you near the polo grounds this week, give yourself extra time and expect delays.