Check out Indiana traffic conditions the day of the total solar eclipse
Months of preparation around the state have led to a day when thousands are expected to flock to Indiana. Several cities are in the path of today's total solar eclipse.
Traffic backed up on I-65 near Lafayette
Traffic at a standstill along Hamilton County interstates
We're getting reports of standstill traffic on 865 and NB 65. This is from a live camera at I-65 and Old SR 334. Please be patient. And if you have somewhere you can wait out the influx of traffic, please consider doing so. #eclipse2024 pic.twitter.com/VLiYSHHnZK
— Hamilton County, Indiana (@HamCoIndiana) April 8, 2024
Crash slows traffic on I-70 in Hancock County
There is a crash on I-70 westbound near Mt. Comfort Road in Hancock County. The Indiana Department of Transportation is asking motorists to avoid the area.
📍 Hancock County
There is a crash on I-70 westbound near Mt. Comfort Road. Please avoid this area and check https://t.co/pN5652P4Ji to get a live view of the roadways. pic.twitter.com/Zhp4SKRzgI— INDOT East Central (@INDOTEast) April 8, 2024
Officials suggest waiting to travel
INDOT suggested after the eclipse, travelers wait a bit before hitting the road again.
Totality transcended INDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Indianapolis around 3:06 p.m.
Stick around your viewing location to beat the rush and practice patience. Monitor traffic conditions at https://t.co/UtFOYeBQkx. #Eclipse24 #INEclipse24 pic.twitter.com/Nnse4e2rDS— INDOT (@INDOT) April 8, 2024
Rest stop parks at capacity
Indiana State Police Public information officer Sgt. John Perrine posted on X/Twitter that rest parks on state interstates on the path of totality are reaching capacity. "INDOT Will be closing off the rest parts once they are full and will not allow any more traffic in for the duration of the eclipse," his post said.
#Eclipse2024
Rest parks along Indiana interstates in the path of totality are at or near capacity. @INDOT will be closing off the rest parks once they are full and will not allow any more traffic in for the duration of the eclipse— Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) April 8, 2024
UPDATE: Traffic picking up on Indiana highways
According to INDOT, traffic started picking up along the path of totality on Indiana highways in the late morning.
Traffic is starting to pick up heading into the path of totality. This is a look at I-65 in Clark County.
Download the INDOT TrafficWise app or visit https://t.co/UtFOYeBQkx to view conditions in your area.
Arrive Early | Stay Put | Leave Late #Eclipse24 #INEclipse24 pic.twitter.com/DN2lRErt7w— INDOT (@INDOT) April 8, 2024
Light traffic across Indiana on morning before eclipse
With schools and other locations closed, things started off slow. In Indianapolis, traffic was light downtown, with more traffic near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In Bloomington, streets were clearer than usual during the morning commute hours, with plenty of parking open on the downtown square. No traffic issues were reported on state highways near Evansville as of 7:50 a.m., according to the Courier & Press live coverage blog.
Eclipse day is here: Read updates from IndyStar reporters in the field
On X/Twitter, the Indiana State Police's feed this morning urged caution. "Please be prepared, patient and save while traveling to and from your viewing destination," one post reads.
Safe driving tips for the total solar eclipse
The Indiana Department of Transportation's feed reiterated that drivers should arrive early, stay put and leave late today.
Tomorrow is the total solar eclipse! Thousands are expected to travel into the Hoosier state to view this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Remember: Arrive Early | Stay Put | Leave Late #Eclipse24 #INEclipse24 pic.twitter.com/0ovIOzU21d— INDOT (@INDOT) April 7, 2024
INDOT also offered the following tips for driving this afternoon:
Keep your headlights on.
Do not wear your eclipse glasses while driving.
Find a designated place to watch safely.
Get Indiana traffic information live
INDOT's TrafficWise app, available on desktop or mobile, offers information about delays, accidents, construction and other road hazards. You can also see stills from highway cameras around the state.
You can also call 511 to check travel conditions on Indiana highways.
IndyStar executive editor Eric Larsen contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis, Indiana, traffic conditions on solar eclipse day