Indiana officials urge planning ahead for solar eclipse

Ahead of the April 8 total solar eclipse, Indiana officials are encouraging drivers to arrive early, stay put and stay late.

Indiana will play a “pivotal role” in hosting eclipse enthusiasts as they flock to the Hoosier state to witness the total solar eclipse on April 8. The eclipse will be visible over a large portion of the state, with the path of totality spanning from Evansville to the outskirts of Fort Wayne, entering southwest Indiana at 3:01 p.m. and exiting to the northeast at 3:12 p.m., according to an Indiana Department of Transportation news release.

Other parts of the state will experience a partial eclipse of at least 90% totality from approximately 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. All times are eastern, officials say.

Nearly 4 million Hoosiers live within the path of totality, with hundreds of thousands expected to visit Indiana for the event. Increased traffic and congestion are also expected, according to INDOT.

Areas near the eclipse centerline are anticipated to see the greatest influx of visitors, including Vincennes, Bloomington, Franklin, Bluffton, Indianapolis and Evansville.

With this in mind, both INDOT and the Indiana State Police are urging drivers to plan ahead and prepare for potential travel impacts before, during and after the eclipse.

Before the eclipse

• Research your viewing site, and consider accessibility, parking and crowd size.
• Check INDOT TrafficWise on the mobile app or at 511in.org to plan your route and monitor traffic conditions.
• Plan to arrive to your destination early and anticipate increased traffic and congestion.
• Pack snacks, water and charging cables for cell phones and GPS devices, in the event you or your group become stranded.
• Make sure vehicles have a full tank of gas and top-off fluids.
• Wear solar eclipse viewing glasses if looking directly at the eclipse.

During the eclipse

• Avoid travel during the eclipse, if possible.
• Exit the roadway to stop and view the solar eclipse. Do not stop along highways or park on the shoulder for viewing.
• Do not take photos or videos or wear eclipse glasses while driving.
• Turn on your headlights when darkness falls.

• Watch for pedestrians.

After the eclipse

• Plan your post-event transportation method well in advance. If celebrating, designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation.
• Exercise patience as traffic may be heavy. Follow instructions from law enforcement or emergency personnel and be considerate of fellow drivers.
• Stay put to avoid the post-event rush.
• Clean up after yourself if celebrating at a public event.
• Check INDOT TrafficWise to plan your route and monitor traffic conditions.
• INDOT will limit road closures and restrictions where possible on state routes to help with traffic flow surrounding the eclipse.

For more information on eclipse preparedness check out these websites:

• eclipse2024.in.gov
• visitindiana.com/eclipse2024
• greatamericaneclipse.com/indiana-2024-eclipse
• science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/