'Coachella' Exodus To Clog Banning, Beaumont Freeways Again

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As tens of thousands of extra drivers hit Interstate 10 between Beaumont and Indio on Monday, traffic is again expected to be increasingly heavy throughout the day. With the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival all wrapped up, festival goers who spent the night after Sunday's closing set by Eminem will depart from the desert — most headed westbound.

Indio surface streets and westbound Interstate 10 were expected to carry the bulk of vehicles, with Caltrans advising commuters to travel early in the morning or late in the evening, if possible, to avoid the worst of the congestion.

Following the first festival weekend, Interstate 10 experienced substantial traffic throughout the day until the evening hours, with congestion dissipating for most drivers near the Banning Pass area, where Interstate 10 meets the 60 freeway.

On Monday morning, drivers hit an extra traffic snafu as a multi-vehicle crash blocked the Badlands. Traffic reports showed that both the 60 and 10 freeways were congested for several miles headed west from Beaumont.

Drivers leaving from Palm Springs can also expect Highway 111 to be backed up.

Motorists may consult http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to monitor up-to-the- minute traffic conditions.

— City News Service contributed to this report / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone