Parts of North America will be plunged into brief darkness on Monday for a solar eclipse, the first to occur in the lower 48 states in 20 years, as states prepare for an influx of tourists to view the rare phenomenon.
The path of the eclipse will cast the moon’s shadow over areas from the Southwest to the Northeast, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
As tourists pack their bags to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon, some states along the way are offering travel tips.
The eclipse began in Texas, where the Texas Department of Transportation advised drivers to expect heavy traffic and “sudden driver braking.” Eclipse glasses are needed to view the phenomenon outside, but people shouldn’t wear them while driving, the department said.
According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), the state plans to “ensure adequate facilities are in place to ensure a fun and safe experience” for residents and out-of-state visitors.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican) said at a press conference that roads were being prepared for increased traffic and that police were on standby to respond to congestion and emergencies.
ARDOT said it plans to have construction closures through the weekend and through the end of the eclipse, but will not implement any lane closures or set up any construction zones, and that the agency is working with trucking associations to limit the number of large trucks on the busiest roads during that time.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) said the eclipse was expected to be visible within about 128 miles of the state, and that staff were on standby to assist observers.
IDOT Commissioner Omer Osman shared tips for safe driving, including reminding drivers to turn on their headlights while driving in dark areas. “Even in the daytime, it can be dark,” he said.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has created a travel information map to help people traveling to see the eclipse keep track of traffic conditions, and is expecting large numbers of out-of-state visitors, advising people to “know where you want to go and make your lodging arrangements as early as possible.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb (Republican) signed an executive order in preparation for a “massive influx of hundreds of thousands of tourists” during the eclipse.
Governor Holcomb declared a statewide disaster emergency “to ensure preparedness for the total solar eclipse.” The state said this is part of an emergency management assistance agreement and that the governor can request resources as needed.
The state has highlighted the most beautiful viewing areas and urged tourists to plan their trips in advance.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (Republican) also issued an executive order to prepare, saying the state is “working with state, local, and private partners to prepare for increased demand for gasoline, food, housing, transportation and mobile phone service.”
The state has increased manpower for traffic control and accident management on major highways.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has issued a flyer with safety tips “before, during and after the eclipse.” The department asks drivers not to pull over or park along major highways to view the highway, and not to litter on roads or property.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said drivers should put down their cell phones and “avoid distractions while driving and refrain from taking photos or videos.”
New Hampshire issued a travel advisory for the eclipse, warning that many roads are not designed to handle the high volume of traffic and that the spring weather “may result in frost heaves and very soft shoulder conditions.”
“Please obey all assisting officers, signs and traffic control devices and expect southbound traffic to be slower following the solar eclipse on Monday evening,” police said.
Maine Governor Janet Mills (Democrat) issued a proclamation on Monday promoting Maine as a “premium solar eclipse destination,” saying that nearly half of the state will be able to see the eclipse for up to three and a half minutes, one of the longest total eclipse viewing times in the nation.
Mills urged travelers to fill up on gas, bring plenty of snacks and water, and stick to paved roads. The state also urged travelers to bring a paper map because cell towers may be overloaded and service is spotty in some parts of Maine.
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