I-10 Traffic Jams Into Pass Area As Thousands Leave Coachella Festival

INDIO, CA — As thousands of Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival goers leave the desert Monday, traffic on westbound Interstate 10 has been jammed.

As of 4:15 p.m., traffic was solid from Palm Springs to the I-10/state Route 60 split.

Indio city officials issued warnings about the traffic mess. The festival, which ran April 15-17 and continues again April 22-24, is being held at Indio's Empire Polo Club.

Each Monday, streets surrounding the festival site and Interstate 10 will be busy with more than 40,000 campers leaving the area, officials said. Alternate routes for north and south travel include Washington Street, Jackson Street, Calhoun Street and Golf Center Parkway. For east and west travel, Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Miles Avenue, Dr. Carreon Boulevard and Avenue 54 can be used.

Here are some tips for those who will be part of the masses next weekend — or are among those who want to avoid the throngs.

Road Closures:

Friday through Monday, the following roads will be closed:

• Avenue 49 between Hjorth and Monroe streets;
• Avenue 50 between Madison and Jackson streets;
• Hjorth Street between Avenues 49 and 50;
• Madison Street between Avenues 49 and 52.

In addition, Avenue 50 between Madison and Monroe streets will experience intermittent closures and delays before the festival. Full closures will occur during the festival.

During the festival, locals should expect significant delays on the following roadways, which will be the primary access routes for the events:

• Jefferson Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52;
• Washington Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52;
• Monroe Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52;
• Avenue 48 between Jefferson and Jackson streets;
• Highway 111 at Jefferson Street;
• Highway 111 at Monroe Street;
• I-10 exit eastbound at Jefferson;
• I-10 exit eastbound at Monroe;
• I-10 exit eastbound at Washington.

The festival ride-share location will be at Avenue 49 and Monroe Street on the southwest corner, while the friends and family or taxi drop-off and pick-up location will be at Avenue 52 and Madison Street on the northeast corner.

No pedestrian or pedestrian festival access will be allowed on Monroe Street between Avenues 49 and 52 and on Madison Street between Avenues 50 and 52.

Pedestrian access will be available at Avenue 49 and Monroe Street, Avenue 52 and Madison Street and Avenue 52 and Monroe Street, though golf carts are not permitted on any of those streets.

About 40,000 guests will be shuttled into and out of the concert venue from various locations throughout the Coachella Valley to help ease traffic conditions.