Coachella chaos: festivalgoers endure 12-hour traffic jam to enter campgrounds

What should’ve been the kickoff to a music-filled weekend under the desert sun quickly turned sour as thousands of Coachella attendees found themselves stuck in miles-long traffic for hours on Thursday. The bottleneck was so severe that many fans reported wait times of up to 12 hours just to enter the car camping grounds in Indio, California.

Social media was flooded with frustrated posts from fans who described being trapped in their vehicles overnight with little to no access to food, water, or restrooms—all while enduring the desert’s sweltering daytime heat.

“I’ve been sitting in this line since 2 a.m. and still haven’t moved,” one user wrote on TikTok. Others shared videos showing car-packed roads, backed up for miles along Madison Street and surrounding areas.

As the hours dragged on, comparisons to 2017’s Fyre Festival—now infamous for its false promises and chaotic execution—began circulating online. Several TikTok users posted that the delays and lack of basic amenities made Coachella’s opening day feel like a “nightmare scenario.”

“If you haven’t left yet, stop for food, water, and a bathroom break first,” one TikTok user advised others. “You’re not getting in anytime soon.”

Festival organizers did not immediately release a statement regarding the delays, despite mounting criticism and growing concerns for public safety. With Coachella drawing over 125,000 people each weekend, questions are now being raised about the planning and preparedness behind one of the world’s most high-profile music festivals.

Security checkpoints, which require thorough vehicle screenings, appeared to be a major source of the slowdown. Hundreds of cars were pictured in winding lines awaiting clearance, creating a gridlock that some fans say lasted well into the afternoon.

By Friday morning, traffic into the campgrounds had eased significantly. However, many are wondering if organizers will adapt their traffic and security plans in time for the second weekend of Coachella, which will bring another surge of festivalgoers to the Coachella Valley.

“I love Coachella, but this was the worst entry experience ever,” one attendee posted on X (formerly Twitter). “They need to figure this out before next weekend, or people are going to stop camping altogether.”

Despite the rocky start, excitement remains high for the weekend's performances. Headliners include Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, Charli XCX, and Megan Thee Stallion, promising a weekend packed with high-energy shows and surprise collaborations.

Whether the performances can outweigh the negative start to the weekend remains to be seen—but for many attendees, the festival's logistical headaches are likely to leave a lasting impression.