Coachella's Second Weekend Is Here. Here's How to Avoid the Traffic.

Today marks the official start of Coachella's second weekend, and campers were already showing up as early as 5 a.m. Thursday to claim spots at the Empire Polo Grounds. This year's arrival went noticeably smoother than past years, as festival organizers opened a second entry point to the campgrounds.

Several road closures are in effect starting today and running through Monday. Avenue 50 between Monroe Street and Madison Avenue has actually been closed since March and won't reopen until May 4. Additional closures active each Friday through Monday include Avenue 49 between Hjorth and Monroe streets, Avenue 50 between Madison and Jackson streets, Hjorth Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 50, and Madison Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52.

If you're trying to get around the area this weekend, city officials say your best bets are southbound Jefferson, Washington, and Monroe streets from Interstate 10 down to Avenue 52, as well as Avenue 48 between Jefferson and Jackson streets. Highway 111 at Jefferson Street is also available. Alternate east-west routes include Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Miles Avenue, Dr. Carreon Boulevard, and Avenue 54.

The heaviest traffic on Jefferson, Monroe, and Washington streets is expected between 3 and 6 p.m. each day.

For those attending the festival, rideshare pickup and drop-off is at Avenue 49 and Monroe Street, on the southwest corner. Taxi service runs out of Avenue 52 and Madison Street, on the northeast corner. Golf carts are not permitted on any pedestrian access streets.

Monday will bring the biggest crunch, as more than 40,000 campers are expected to leave the valley. Officials are urging drivers to stay off Interstate 10 after 9 a.m., using Washington Street, Jackson Street, and Golf Center Parkway instead for north-south travel.