Valley drivers brace for another busy day on the roads as Labor Day travel continues
Gavin Nguyen
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Valley residents faced another busy travel day on Monday as the Labor Day weekend came to a close.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicted Palm Springs would be another very popular travel destination for folks bound from Los Angeles and San Diego ahead of the holiday. Valley residents felt the push, with big crowds in places like Downtown Palm Springs all weekend long.
The I-10 headed westbound began bunching up as early as 10:00 a.m. Monday morning. On its website, AAA stated 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. are typically the worst hours to drive for the holiday. Traffic began thinning out in Whitewater by 5:00 p.m., though some delays further west near Cabazon remained through that hour.
Some travelers, like Marilyn McAlister, were fortunate enough to take the road less traveled. McAlister and her husband, from El Centro, were visiting their daughter in Buena Park to celebrate her baby shower.
“We’ve been going against the traffic. We haven’t had any problems. No major accidents. So, yeah, our traveling has been relatively smooth,” recounted as the couple filled up at an Arco in Cathedral City.
Others who came into Palm Springs from Orange County, like Nathan Shackelford, said, “I got here on Friday evening. The traffic wasn’t really that bad. There [were] little pockets … I’m going to take I-10 back and try and beat some traffic.”
Stay with KESQ for the latest on traffic conditions as travelers make their last trips of the summer.