FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Today is the day! The total solar eclipse has made its way across the U.S. and Arkansas. With thousands flocking to the Natural State, our highways are expected to be packed.
We have your live traffic updates and important things to know as you travel today.
People in Arkansas won’t have to travel far to see the eclipse, but AAA said some towns are expecting tens of thousands of travelers. This is why they say it's important for Arkansans to be prepared for the increase in traffic.
AAA said smaller towns near the path of totality may see crowds of visitors of two, three or four times the size of their population.
Tips for drivers during the eclipse
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) said the total eclipse on April 8, 2024, will likely be the largest tourist event in Arkansas history.
If drivers want to pull over and view the eclipse for safety, officials are saying: do not pull over on the highway or side of the road. Pull into a parking lot/safe destination/away from the road.
With drive times of up to 5 hours possible, ARDOT recommends you have the following with you in your vehicle:
- Charged phone/charging bank
- Water or something to drive
- Snacks
- Medical items
Travel conditions
ARDOT has scheduled a "construction holiday" from April 6-9, to help prevent delays caused by lane closures, and ARDOT will limit permits to oversized carriers.
ARDOT also said it has plans to detour traffic onto parallel routes if needed and has crews of small all-terrain vehicles capable of moving safely to hand out supplies if needed.
Live updates
4:25 p.m.: Two-vehicle accident in Benton County
- Location: Benton County, I-49 / 6-12 interchange
- Travel direction: Northbound
- Lane(s) impacted: Right Shoulder, Off-Ramp
- Source: Arkansas Department of Transportation
3:37 p.m.: Two-vehicle accident in Crawford County
- Location: Crawford County, I-49
- Travel direction: Northbound
- Time reported: 3:37 p.m.
- Source: Arkansas Department of Transportation
3:12 p.m.: Traffic on Garrison Avenue Bridge in Fort Smith
- Fort Smith police: Heavy traffic has been reported on Garrison Avenue heading westbound into Oklahoma. Officials tell commuters to expect delays and consider alternate routes.
11:51 a.m.: Traffic near Mulberry
- ARDOT: "Right now, the worst of the traffic seems to be on I-40 and Highway 64 at Mulberry. Traffic is moving, but it's extremely slow."
- ARDOT said the amount of IDriveArkansas.com users tripled this morning, and that while traffic conditions are still represented accurately, some traffic cameras are lagging.
- ARDOT says the following eclipse viewing areas are at capacity:
- Glenwood Rest Area on Hwy 70 is at capacity
- Crater of Diamonds State Park is at capacity, and it's causing some congestion on Hwy 600
- Lake Frierson State Park, Lake Dardanelle State Park, Mt. Nebo State Park, and Lake Charles State Park are at capacity
- Mt. Magazine and Pinnacle Mountain State Park are nearing capacity
11:28 a.m.: Traffic congested on I-40 eastbound
- ARDOT: "Congestion still heavy on I-40 eastbound. Traffic is working its way through, but it's extremely slow. Traffic is diverting onto Highway 64, causing congestion there too."
11:00 a.m.: Traffic congested near Sallisaw
- Location: Sallisaw, I-40
- Travel direction: Eastbound
- Lane(s) impacted: All lanes
- Time reported: 10:51 a.m.
- Source: Oklahoma Highway Patrol
9:45 a.m.: Three-vehicle crash near Mulberry
- Location: Franklin County, mile marker 26
- Travel direction: Eastbound
- Lane(s) impacted: Right shoulder
- Time reported: 9:27 a.m.
- Source: Arkansas Department of Transportation
Check out idrivearkansas for a live map.
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