Solar eclipse expected to bring heavy Memphis-Arkansas traffic: What to avoid and how to prepare

Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
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People in the Memphis area on Monday will likely be out somewhere wanting to get a view of the total solar eclipse.

The eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada, NASA said. While West Tennessee isn’t in the path of the eclipse, you could potentially drive to the path of totality from Memphis.

People should brace for expected heavy traffic in the area due to the rare event. One of the more congested areas in the area that people drive across daily is the bridge between Memphis and Arkansas.

Ellen Coulter, media communications manager for the Arkansas Department of Transportation, said the I-40 Hernando de Soto Bridge between Tennessee and Arkansas has around 55,000 vehicles that cross the bridge daily going across the Mississippi River, while 36,000 vehicles daily cross the I-55 Memphis and Arkansas bridge going across the Mississippi River.

What type of Memphis and Arkansas eclipse traffic is anticipated

According to Coulter, ARDOT is expecting high eclipse-related traffic between Memphis and West Memphis. She noted the majority of the traffic is predicted to accumulate in the immediate aftermath of the eclipse Monday afternoon or evening timeframe.

When is the solar eclipse in Memphis? Search your ZIP code for our viewing guide

Memphis to Arkansas alternative traffic routes

Coulter noted motorists have two river crossing options in the West Memphis/Memphis region – the I-40 and I-55 bridges – to choose from in case one or the other becomes more congested. In the event of major backups on both bridges, motorists have a third option to re-route through Helena.

“We encourage travelers to have the IDriveArkansas app downloaded to their phone, so they can see the best routes to take during their eclipse travels,” Coulter said.

Malia Ezell and her brother Xavier Ezell, 5, look out on the Mississippi River and Hernando de Soto Bridge from the newly renovated Tom Lee Park shortly after it officially opened to the public in Downtown Memphis on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Malia Ezell and her brother Xavier Ezell, 5, look out on the Mississippi River and Hernando de Soto Bridge from the newly renovated Tom Lee Park shortly after it officially opened to the public in Downtown Memphis on Saturday, September 2, 2023.

What kind of traffic to expect between Memphis and Arkansas before the eclipse

Coulter stated ARDOT don’t anticipate any major delays over the weekend leading up to the eclipse, but only in the immediate aftermath as everyone may try to go home at once.

“We encourage those coming to Arkansas to view the eclipse to arrive early and stay late to avoid the peak travel times,” Coulter said. “If at all possible, please stay an extra night and travel home (Tuesday, April 9) to avoid the worst of the anticipated congestion.”

Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Solar eclipse: Prepare for heavy traffic on Memphis-Arkansas bridges