TDOT says it will put traffic measures in place to help keep Interstate 24 moving efficiently during Bonnaroo 2026 in Manchester, where festival traffic is expected to build from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, June 14.

The timing matters because drivers in Tennessee will see the effects now, not later. Bonnaroo draws crowds to Manchester every year, and the four-day stretch is one of the busiest travel windows in the area. TDOT said it is working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire and Rescue, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Coffee County EMA and festival promoters to manage the flow of vehicles tied to the event.

Will Reid said TDOT continues to work closely with its partner agencies to support safe, reliable travel throughout the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. He said the department’s priority remains keeping traffic on I-24 flowing efficiently while making sure festival attendees can enter and exit the site safely. Reid also said TDOT is confident it can maintain smooth travel conditions throughout the event weekend, thanks to detailed preparation and coordination.

That confidence runs into a familiar reality: Manchester always sees increased traffic around Bonnaroo, and that puts pressure on the corridor even when planners are preparing well in advance. TDOT did not spell out every traffic-control step it will use on I-24, but it said the measures are intended to keep vehicles moving and help avoid the kind of backups that can spread quickly during a festival weekend.

For drivers, the practical advice is simple. Anyone anywhere in Tennessee can dial 847 from a cell phone to reach the nearest THP dispatch office, while emergencies or life-threatening situations should go to 911. Drivers can also check SmartWay traffic cameras for the latest on traffic or construction activity as Bonnaroo 2026 gets underway and the roads around Manchester fill up.