The 2024 total solar eclipse on April 8 will begin around 1:30 p.m. Central time in south Texas and travel northeast through 13 states, exiting the U.S. from Maine around 3:40 p.m. Eastern.NASA
Truckers who have been on the road since at least the summer of 2017 may recall the total solar eclipse that occurred on Aug. 21 of that year, and the additional traffic it brought with it in the areas where the eclipse could be best seen.
That eclipse began in Oregon and traveled southeast over the next couple of hours down to South Carolina.
This year, on Monday, April 8, another total solar eclipse will cross the U.S., this time beginning in Texas and crossing northeast through Maine. It will be observable in the U.S. from around 1:30 p.m. Central time until around 3:40 p.m. Eastern time, with a duration of approximately 4 minutes and 27 seconds, varying based on location.
During that time, it will cross over parts of Texas, including Dallas; Oklahoma; Arkansas; Missouri; Kentucky; Illinois; Indiana; Ohio; Pennsylvania; New York; Vermont; New Hampshire; and Maine. During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun while it passes between the sun and Earth. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk, and those standing in the path of totality may see the sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona) if weather permits.
According to a study of traffic patterns before, during and after the 2017 eclipse, traffic volume decreased two days before the eclipse, except for in Wyoming. Also, traffic increased after the eclipse and returned to normal after two to three days. Three hours before the eclipse, traffic significantly declined by 13%, and two hours post-eclipse, traffic increased by 13% from typical levels.
For this year’s total solar eclipse, AAA has issued a handful of safety recommendations for drivers:
