Ubering and Lyfting at Music Festivals Is Over: The Coachella Gold Rush Has Ended

We want to be transparent that the articles are written by AI

It wasn’t long ago that rideshare drivers looked forward to music festival season like kids waiting for Christmas. With Coachella, Stagecoach, and other massive events drawing tens of thousands of attendees, drivers from all over flocked to these venues expecting to rake in the cash. But in 2025, things have changed — drastically.

🎸 The Party’s Still On, But the Profits Are Gone

For years, rideshare veterans could count on surge pricing, non-stop trip requests, and long-distance drop-offs that made a weekend at Coachella equivalent to a small paycheck. But this golden era seems to be fading fast. What happened?

1. Oversaturation of drivers – Apps like Uber and Lyft onboarded more drivers than ever. More supply = less demand per driver.
2. Event-organized shuttles – Festivals now offer cheap or free shuttle services, which are more convenient for groups and eco-conscious attendees.
3. Traffic and pickup chaos – Lengthy waits and confusing pickup zones eat into drive time and patience.
4. Driver fatigue and burnout – The mental and physical toll of working long hours in congested areas just isn’t worth it anymore.

🚙 Why You Should Think Twice Before Heading to Coachella With Your Rideshare App On

The dream of big festival payouts has been replaced with long waits, disappointed riders, and poor earnings. One seasoned driver mentioned on Rideshare Guides that “festival weekends are more stress than they’re worth now.”

Drivers now find better consistency and pay working airport routes or leveraging niche rideshare gigs in suburban areas.

💡 Tip: Want better opportunities? Check out our rideshare driver tips for off-peak earning to find out where the real money is.

🎤 What Festival Riders Are Doing Instead

Festivalgoers are also evolving. With the rise of carpooling apps, event partnerships with public transport, and festival parking deals, passengers are ditching traditional rideshares altogether. It’s cheaper, more convenient, and less chaotic.

🚧 What This Means for Rideshare Drivers in 2025

The days of quick cash during Coachella or Stagecoach are behind us. The market has matured, and drivers are realizing that smart planning and diversified strategies win over hype-driven hotspots.

Instead of chasing surges, focus on:

• Building a route strategy around local airports or business centers
• Driving during weekday rush hours
• Exploring delivery driving alternatives when event demand is low

🎯 Final Thoughts

Ubering and Lyfting at music festivals was once a rideshare jackpot — but in 2025, the game has changed. If you’re a driver looking to maximize your time and earnings, you need to stay ahead of trends, not behind them.

Looking for more tips? Visit our full rideshare driver resource hub for guides, tools, and real-world stories from the road.

Author is under Coach Carl