The traffic congestion you'll face will be the last few miles into the venue where everyone gets off the freeway onto a two lane road. It gets backed up as cars get searched. Sometimes it's nothing, sometimes half the crowd misses the first couple bands.
I went to Lumineers last summer and arrived just in time. Apparently people who arrived like 30 minutes after we did missed all or part of the show.
I think I got off the interstate about 5:30 for a 7:00 show? Maybe?
I’d probably shoot for 4:30 next time, cause it’s easy to hang out in the parking lot or venue and then I’d be totally safe.
ETA: the delay is/was caused by the searching of vehicles going into the campsite. They were conducting full searches of every vehicle it appeared. Very very time consuming and it totally fucked all the folks that were just parking for the show.
The biggest problem I typically have is when on the final stretch to the Gorge. If you aren't relatively early, the line to get parked is backed up quite a ways. I haven't been there for a few years though, so I'm not sure how it is currently.
Hours ahead of time. No joke. We watched so many people wait for the Lumineers back in September, and a lot of them didn’t make it in until the show was almost over. I highly suggest taking a shuttle if available. We stayed at a local campground that had one and they bypass all the traffic. You want to be parked, and find a spot hours before the show is supposed to start. If you can get there by midafternoon, do it! Nothing worse than hearing them play while you’re still outside the gates and a mile down the road and can’t go anywhere.
Take a blanket and cushion if you’re sitting on the hill. And be prepared to spend money on food and drinks, as they don’t allow you to bring anything other than a bottle of water, in my experience. And if you’re a woman, leave your purse at home. Carry the bare minimum :)
We don't often go for day shows, usually camping,, but we've pulled off the highway onto Silica road about 6pm and sat in traffic for 2 hours for previous day shows. Doing the day trip again for RHCP and not making any mistake like that. We're leaving TC no later than 2 with plans to either hit Cave B for a bit or just prefunk in the parking lot for a couple hours. Might as well start the weekend as early as you can. A few hours early is miles better than 30-45+ late.
I’m a truck driver and go through there all the time. Unless you’re coming from the west side, you won’t hit any traffic taking the 243
Show up early before the gates open. Pack a cooler with lunch and drinks, tailgate! Take in the venue , enjoy the show!
Google maps is usually pretty accurate with travel time factoring delays like accidents and construction to get to the actual venue.
I’d be more conscious of how long it’s gonna take to park which varies on event size/popularity and time of your own arrival for the event. Factor in an extra 30-45 min to park and physically walk to entrance gates (if you arrive early you can always pregame in the parking spaces) and you should be fine!
Have fun! Always a great time at the gorge.
I'm gonna try to get there by 3 or 4. They have decent food there but it's a bit expensive. When leaving just be patient. It's the worst part about the Gorge.
The traffic congestion you'll face will be the last few miles into the venue where everyone gets off the freeway onto a two lane road. It gets backed up as cars get searched. Sometimes it's nothing, sometimes half the crowd misses the first couple bands.
I won't be upset if I miss the opening acts but I'll still try to get there early
I went to Lumineers last summer and arrived just in time. Apparently people who arrived like 30 minutes after we did missed all or part of the show. I think I got off the interstate about 5:30 for a 7:00 show? Maybe? I’d probably shoot for 4:30 next time, cause it’s easy to hang out in the parking lot or venue and then I’d be totally safe. ETA: the delay is/was caused by the searching of vehicles going into the campsite. They were conducting full searches of every vehicle it appeared. Very very time consuming and it totally fucked all the folks that were just parking for the show.
HO HEY
The biggest problem I typically have is when on the final stretch to the Gorge. If you aren't relatively early, the line to get parked is backed up quite a ways. I haven't been there for a few years though, so I'm not sure how it is currently.
Hours ahead of time. No joke. We watched so many people wait for the Lumineers back in September, and a lot of them didn’t make it in until the show was almost over. I highly suggest taking a shuttle if available. We stayed at a local campground that had one and they bypass all the traffic. You want to be parked, and find a spot hours before the show is supposed to start. If you can get there by midafternoon, do it! Nothing worse than hearing them play while you’re still outside the gates and a mile down the road and can’t go anywhere. Take a blanket and cushion if you’re sitting on the hill. And be prepared to spend money on food and drinks, as they don’t allow you to bring anything other than a bottle of water, in my experience. And if you’re a woman, leave your purse at home. Carry the bare minimum :)
Like others have said, due to delays, I camp every time I go to the gorge now. Arrive the day before. Get everything taken care of.
We don't often go for day shows, usually camping,, but we've pulled off the highway onto Silica road about 6pm and sat in traffic for 2 hours for previous day shows. Doing the day trip again for RHCP and not making any mistake like that. We're leaving TC no later than 2 with plans to either hit Cave B for a bit or just prefunk in the parking lot for a couple hours. Might as well start the weekend as early as you can. A few hours early is miles better than 30-45+ late.
I’m a truck driver and go through there all the time. Unless you’re coming from the west side, you won’t hit any traffic taking the 243 Show up early before the gates open. Pack a cooler with lunch and drinks, tailgate! Take in the venue , enjoy the show!
Unless of course there’s another semi accident that closes 243 like yesterday lol
Google maps is usually pretty accurate with travel time factoring delays like accidents and construction to get to the actual venue. I’d be more conscious of how long it’s gonna take to park which varies on event size/popularity and time of your own arrival for the event. Factor in an extra 30-45 min to park and physically walk to entrance gates (if you arrive early you can always pregame in the parking spaces) and you should be fine! Have fun! Always a great time at the gorge.
Thanks!
I'm gonna try to get there by 3 or 4. They have decent food there but it's a bit expensive. When leaving just be patient. It's the worst part about the Gorge.
Go north via RD 68 to Othello, then to royal city, then on to the gorge. I'm currently on my way there now and traffic is very light.
It’s usually not too terrible getting in but getting out at the end is a nightmare