Traffic During the Solar Eclipse

The Great North American Eclipse is less than a month away and Arkansas falls squarely in the path of totality. Viewers will observe over 4 minutes of total darkness in many areas of the state.

Traffic Congestion in Arkansas During the Eclipse

An estimated 700,000 additional vehicles will be on the roads in Arkansas on April 8, 2024. Most visitors will arrive the weekend before the eclipse, which is on a Monday. Based on past solar eclipses, up to 80% of visitors are expected to leave immediately after the eclipse is over.

This data suggests an additional 560,000 vehicles will be traveling in Arkansas on Monday afternoon.

How Many People Will be Visiting Arkansas for the Solar Eclipse?

It’s estimated that up to 1.5 million visitors will travel to Arkansas to experience the 2024 solar eclipse. An additional 500,000 Arkansans who live outside the path of totality will travel to experience the total solar eclipse.

What is the Viewing Area in Arkansas?

The 2024 solar eclipse path stretches over 100 miles from the southwest corner to the northeast corner of Arkansas. In fact, 53 of Arkansas’ 75 counties fall within the path of totality.

Major cities within the path include Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Texarkana, Arkadelphia, Russellville, Mountain Home, Clarksville, Fort Smith, and Heber Springs.

State Parks within the path of totality include Lake Ouachita, Mount Magazine, Pinnacle Mountain, Petit Jean, Mount Nebo, Woolly Hollow, Crater of Diamonds, Bull Shoals, DeGray Lake, Lake Catherine, Lake Dardanelle, and more. Visit https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/experiencing-great-american-eclipse-arkansas-state-parks for a full list of Arkansas state parks within the path of the solar eclipse.

Which Highways Will Be the Most Crowded?

The Arkansas Department of Transportation has identified several roadways in Arkansas that will experience extreme traffic congestion:

• U.S. Highway 65 north of Conway
• U.S. Highway 70 east of Hot Springs
• I-40 east of Alma

On the following roadways high traffic congestion is expected:

• I-30 between Little Rock and Benton
• I-430 in Little Rock
• I-40 from Little Rock to Clarksville
• U.S. Highway 65 north of Clinton
• I-49 north of Alma through Fayetteville and to Bentonville
• State Highway 7 between Hot Springs and Russellville
• State Highway 7 south of Hot Springs
• U.S. Highway 70 west of Hot Springs

How to Avoid Extreme Traffic Congestion During the Eclipse

Visiting? Stay Longer.

If you’re visiting Arkansas, staying after the eclipse passes will help avoid extreme traffic. An estimated 80% of viewers will leave immediately following the eclipse. If you can plan to stay the night or until the evening, it will allow you to avoid the worst of the traffic.

Local? Limit Your Commute.

If possible, avoid commuting in the time following the eclipse. Or, whenever possible, avoid your commute altogether. The eclipse will pass through the state by 2:00 p.m. If you can, change your commute to avoid mid-afternoon.

Plan Ahead & Be Patient

If you know you’ll be traveling shortly before, during, or immediately after the eclipse, then allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Expect delays!

And most of all, be patient. Traffic may be inevitable, so plan now to slow down and take your time to avoid an accident.

What Else to Know Regarding Traffic During the Eclipse

School Closures in Arkansas

Many school districts (more than 100 districts) have announced schools will be closed on Monday, April 8 in Arkansas. For those school districts that are not closed, please be aware it may take much longer to get to and from school pick-ups. Buses may also be delayed.

Arkansas Trucking Association Adjusting their Schedules

The Arkansas Department of Transportation has been in communication with the Arkansas Trucking Association to limit the amount of freight trucks on the roads during the eclipse. Nonetheless, trucks will still be traveling throughout Arkansas.

Arkansas State Police

Arkansas State Police will be deploying state troopers across Arkansas to work with local law enforcement agencies in order to enforce the rules of the road and monitor traffic flow.

Construction Halted

The Arkansas Department of Transportation is putting a halt on all road closures and shutting down active work zones from April 5 until April 9.

Viewing the Eclipse Safely

Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye, even during an eclipse. Use official dark-lens glasses to view the eclipse safely.

Arkansas State Parks will provide glasses for visitors. Many schools are equipped with glasses, and local public libraries offer glasses to library members. Check with your local library! You can also purchase dark-lens glasses online.