If you’re heading to Coachella from Venice Beach, you’re not just driving to a festival—you’re setting the tone for an entire experience. The difference between a chaotic, exhausting weekend and an unforgettable road trip starts before you even hit the 10. Sure, you could throw everything in a bag, wing it, and hope for the best. But if you want to actually enjoy the ride (and arrive without feeling like you’ve already been through a music festival before the gates even open), a little planning goes a long way.
Don’t Get Stuck in the Mass Exodus—Leave at the Right Time
Every year, thousands of people from L.A. pack up and head east at the exact same time. And every year, the traffic from Venice to the desert turns into a slow-moving disaster. If you want to avoid spending five hours on a drive that should take two, timing is everything.
Leaving early Friday morning is one of the best moves you can make. Not only do you get to skip the worst of the traffic, but you also avoid that panicked rush to set up your campsite or check into your Airbnb before the festival starts. If you can swing it, heading out Thursday night is even better—hotels will be cheaper, and you’ll wake up already in the desert, stress-free.
On the way back, don’t even think about leaving right after the festival ends. That’s when everyone else is trying to get out, and you’ll be stuck in a parade of brake lights all the way back to L.A. Either leave super early Monday morning or, even better, take the day off and stay until Monday night when the roads are clear, and you can actually enjoy the drive.
The Desert Isn’t Venice—Pack Like It
If you live in Venice Beach, you’re used to a pretty forgiving climate. The desert, on the other hand, has no chill—literally. Days are blisteringly hot, nights can be freezing, and there’s zero shade unless you bring your own. You don’t want to be the person who underestimated how brutal it can get out there.
Pack light, breathable clothes for the day, but bring layers for the night. A cheap fold-out canopy will save your life if you’re camping. And don’t just assume you can grab everything once you’re there—by the time you realize you need more sunscreen or an extra hoodie, so has everyone else, and stores will be wiped out.
Water? Bring more than you think you need. Hydration packs are your best friend, and so is a backup case of bottled water in your car. And don’t forget the basics—chargers, wet wipes, and earplugs will make all the difference when you’re trying to survive three days in the desert.
Make the Drive an Experience—Not Just a Commute
Look, you’re already spending hours in the car, so why not make it worth it? The drive from Venice to Coachella can either feel like an exhausting pre-game or an adventure in itself. If you do it right, it’s the second one.
Stop somewhere that actually makes the drive feel intentional. If you time it right, you can grab a bite at a steakhouse in Palm Desert, or a milkshake in Riverside. A good meal beats gas station snacks any day, and these stops turn a road trip into something that feels like part of the festival experience.
The other key? A solid playlist. You don’t want to be scrambling to find music while you’re already on the road. Make a mix of the artists you’re seeing, throw in some high-energy road trip classics, and let it set the vibe before you even hit the festival grounds.
Where to Crash if You’re Not Camping
Camping at Coachella is one of those things that sounds like a great idea—until you’re in the middle of it. If you love the chaos and don’t mind minimal sleep, it’s part of the experience. But if you’d rather have an actual bed, there are plenty of other options.
Hotels in Palm Springs are always an easy choice, but they fill up fast. If you’re booking last minute, check out spots in Indio, La Quinta, or even Desert Hot Springs. Renting a house with friends is another solid move—it might seem expensive upfront, but when you split the cost, it can actually end up being cheaper than a hotel.
And if you’re really looking for something different, there are some seriously cool Airbnb options in the area. Think desert domes, Airstream trailers, and spots with a green landscape with Palm Trees that feel like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. It’s worth looking into, especially if you want a place that actually feels like part of the trip instead of just a place to crash.
The Best Way to End Your Trip Without Feeling Wrecked
A festival weekend will take it out of you. By the time Monday rolls around, you’ll probably be running on fumes, sunburnt, and wondering why you thought dancing in 100-degree heat for three days straight was a good idea. But there are ways to make the ride back feel less like a slow descent into exhaustion.
First, get real sleep before you leave. That last night might be tempting to push through, but even a few solid hours will make the drive home way easier. Next, don’t rush to get back—hit up a good breakfast spot, take your time, and give yourself a chance to actually recover.
If you can, take Tuesday off. Seriously. A recovery day will feel like the best decision you’ve ever made. And if you can’t? At least make sure you hydrate, eat something that isn’t festival food, and mentally prepare yourself to re-enter reality.
Coachella’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint—Make the Drive Part of It
A lot of people treat the drive to Coachella like an inconvenience—just something to power through to get to the main event. But that’s where they’re missing out. If you do it right, the road trip can be just as fun as the festival itself.
The key is planning it the way you’d plan any other trip. Leave at the right time, pack like you know what you’re doing, make some stops that actually add to the experience, and don’t treat the ride back like an afterthought. It’s not just about getting there—it’s about making the whole trip something you’ll actually remember.
