Coachella Weekend 2 Is Here, and So Is the Traffic

The second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival officially begins Friday, but for those living near the Empire Polo Grounds, the traffic impact started Thursday morning as thousands of campers began arriving to claim their spots.

Footage captured near the polo grounds around 4:30 a.m. Thursday showed fairly light conditions, which organizers are hoping will hold. Campers typically begin showing up as early as 5 a.m., though traffic moved more smoothly last weekend after festival organizers opened a second entry point to the campgrounds.

Jefferson and Monroe Streets near the Empire Polo Grounds are the corridors to watch on Thursday, and both will stay busy through the weekend. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time if traveling near those roads.

Washington Street will see its own spike Friday near the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where festivalgoers pick up entrance wristbands and board shuttles to the venue.

From Friday through Sunday, all three corridors, Jefferson, Monroe, and Washington, will see heavy afternoon traffic between 3 and 6 p.m. as attendees head in for the main headliners each evening.