Eclipse tourism expected to cause heavy traffic across U.S.

State authorities nationwide warn drivers of severe traffic on Monday when a total solar eclipse will be visible throughout the country. Only 15 states and parts of Mexico and Canada will have a full view of the moon blocking the sun’s face. Transportation leaders warn of heavy traffic, sudden stops, and distracted drivers and pedestrians. Authorities also remind citizens to protect their eyes with eclipse glasses when viewing the event but not to wear them while driving. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb declared a state of emergency preparing for the influx of eclipse tourists. Several cities and counties in Texas and New York also issued emergency orders, citing large crowds, increased traffic, and a strain on first responders.

Didn’t we just have a solar eclipse? An eclipse itself is not uncommon, but being able to experience one in totality is. The last total solar eclipse visible in the United States happened in 2017 and threw a shadow across 11 states from west to east. The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will only be partially visible from Greenland through Northern Spain. The next North American solar eclipse will only be visible from Alaska in 2033. The next continental U.S. eclipse will be in 2044, crossing over Montana, the Dakotas, and parts of Canada and Greenland. The next coast-to-coast solar eclipse will come in 2045, with a path of totality from California to Florida.

Dig deeper: Listen to Harrison Watters’ report on The World and Everything in It podcast about the upcoming eclipse and what scientists hope to learn.