With the end of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival comes the inevitable gridlock—and for many, the journey home is proving more difficult than the trip in.
Over the weekend, more than 100,000 festivalgoers packed into the Coachella Valley, creating heavy congestion both entering and exiting the event grounds. By Monday, the focus shifted to getting home, with drivers facing miles of traffic along Interstate 10 westbound. What is typically a 90-minute drive has, for some, stretched into three hours or more.
Attendees say the delays were expected, but still frustrating. Some drivers reported taking alternate routes in hopes of avoiding the worst of the congestion, only to encounter traffic there as well.
For electric vehicle drivers, the situation has been even more challenging. In addition to sitting in traffic, many are dealing with long lines at charging stations—some waiting up to 30 minutes or more just to plug in. The added delay has created a ripple effect, forcing some travelers to rethink their plans.
One passenger said the unexpected wait times may cause them to miss their flight, adding that they might have to return later to retrieve their luggage. Others echoed similar concerns, noting that charging delays combined with traffic made for a stressful end to an otherwise enjoyable weekend.
Despite the frustration, many festivalgoers say the experience is still worth it, calling the delays a small price to pay for one of the country’s most popular music festivals.