The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), VisitErie and the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) are reminding travelers of available resources to help make any traveling within Northwest Pennsylvania easier on Monday, April 8. 

According to the above organizations, the path of the eclipse will impact Pennsylvania starting at approximately 2 p.m.as the moon travels in front of the sun. From approximately 3:16 to 3:20 p.m. totality will occur in the northwest region. 

During that that time, the remainder of the state will see the moon covering 90 to 99 percent of the sun. The eclipse will conclude around 4:30 p.m. 

Nearly 435,000 Pennsylvanians live in the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse. This will impact Crawford and Erie counties as well as parts of Mercer and Warren counties. 

VisitErie said an anticipated 200,000 people are expected to journey into the Erie County area to watch the celestial event. 

Drivers across the state are being reminded to not park on the interstates or other highways to view the eclipse, including the shoulders, medians, or crossovers. 

PennDOT says it has coordinated with other state agencies and local government representatives to take steps to minimize possible traffic congestion. 

Pennsylvania State Police will remove disabled vehicles from interstates in northwestern Pennsylvania. Troopers will also be posted at each exit to help keep traffic moving. 

Additionally, people gathered at rest stops will be directed to view the eclipse elsewhere. 

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will be keeping all lanes open at the Cranberry Interchange (Exit 28) which connects with Interstate 79. Additional maintenance personnel will be on duty in the event of an emergency. 

Motorists can use PennDOT's 511pa.com eclipse page to monitor traffic on the day of eclipse. The web page offers various suggested routes and travel times to help drivers map a path to Erie.

Erie will experience one of the longest periods of darkness that day. 

The page offers the following contains transportation related tips:

  • Plan ahead for longer than usual travel times to and from destinations. Take necessary supplies, such as water, food and medications.
  • Exit the highway to view the eclipse.?
  • Turn on your headlights.?
  • Be alert for vehicles on the shoulder and increased pedestrian traffic.?
  • Put down the phone and never take pictures or videos while driving.
  • Take off eclipse glasses while driving.?
  • Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and don’t litter

The EMTA will be offering public transportations options on April 8, including all regularly scheduled fixed route services. 

For more information on eclipse plans, head to VisitErie's website, or head to ErieNewsNow.com/eclipse.