ECLIPSE TRAFFIC
Research following the August 2017 total eclipse showed marked increases in traffic in states along the path. This occurred both in the week leading up to the event as well as immediately following the end of totality. (Many of us who saw that eclipse likely remember best the nightmare traffic on the way home.)
April’s eclipse boasts longer totality than in 2017. Several million more people live inside this eclipse path and it crosses numerous major cities, making day trips easier for many. (Want more details? Check out “Upcoming eclipses by the numbers” by Michael Zeiler in our April 2023 issue.) All of this means traffic is likely to become even more congested than in 2017, especially in areas where the road system is not designed to handle a significant influx of vehicles.
This is vital to keep in mind, even if your destination is normally only a few hours away. As cities fill up with eclipseseekers, roads will become generally busier for everyone. Even errands and commutes in the week beforehand may take longer. Travel times will also likely increase in the hours leading up the eclipse. Then, the number of cars on the roads during totality itself will drop — only to surge immediately after fourth contact.
Regardless of how far you are traveling, plan for it to take several more hours than on an average day — particularly following totality. Make sure you have appropriate supplies to accommodate increased travel times, including water, food, and time-sensitive medications. If you can, stay and watch the partial phases following totality. Not only will you get the “full” eclipse experience, but this also may give traffic some time to clear up as well. — Alison Klesman