On April 8, 2024, citizens across southern and southeast Missouri will have the chance to see a rare celestial event – a total solar eclipse.
The moon will block the sun’s light and cause a total solar eclipse to be visible across nearly 115 miles of Missouri. Visitors will come to the Show-Me State to witness the event, and numerous community events and festivals are planned along the path of totality. Missourians should make plans early to determine where they will view the eclipse, where they will stay, and how best to avoid the extra traffic congestion after the eclipse.
“We anticipate large crowds with possible heavy congestion on the interstates and major highways especially after the eclipse is over,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth. “If you are traveling for the event, leave early, stay put as long as possible, and plan to stay after the end of the eclipse to avoid the peak traffic.”
Missouri will be one of 13 states from Texas to Maine to experience the path of totality. There are 31 million people in the United States who live inside the path of totality. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout the remainder of the continental United States.
The path of the viewing in Missouri will cover more than 115 miles of the state. Totality enters Missouri as it crosses the Arkansas State Line southwest of West Plains at 1:54 p.m. CDT. It will follow a diagonal line crossing over Poplar Bluff and exiting Missouri at Cape Girardeau as it crosses the Mississippi River at 2:04 p.m. CDT.
Follow these tips to drive safely on the day of the solar eclipse:
- Don’t stop along the interstate and no parking on the shoulder.
- Find a safe location to view the event and get there early.
- Watch out for increased pedestrian traffic along smaller roads. People may be randomly parking and walking alongside roads in the hour before the total eclipse to get the best viewing.
- Don’t take photographs of the eclipse while driving.
- Turn your headlights on and do not rely on your automatic headlights during the eclipse.
- Avoid travel during the eclipse or in the area of the main path if you can.
- Prepare for extra congestion, especially on interstates and other major roadways for the hours immediately following the eclipse.
- Check traffic conditions on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at this link on the MoDOT website. also available as a free app at MoDOT Traveler Information.
- Have a full tank of gas and bring water with you in your vehicle.
More information on Missouri’s solar eclipse events are on the Visit Missouri website.
More information on eye safety and scientific aspects of the event can be found on the NASA website
You must use proper eyewear to watch a solar eclipse. Using regular sunglasses will damage your eyes.
When watching a partial or annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun.
Check this link for a list of every community, town, and city that is in the path of totality.
You can wear eclipse glasses to safely view the Sun during the partial eclipse phases of a solar eclipse, before and after totality. View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality. How do you know if your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers are truly safe? You need to know that the solar eclipse glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 (sometimes written as ISO 12312-2:2015) international safety standards.
Missouri (first umbra touches at 13:53:43 CDT) is poised to be a prime viewing spot for the upcoming solar eclipse on March 9, 2024, as the moon’s shadow enters the state near the Arkansas border at 1:53:43 PM CDT. The eclipse trajectory offers residents and visitors a variety of locations to witness this awe-inspiring event, starting near where State Road 467 meets the Arkansas boundary. Notably, Doniphan (4m12s, just after 13:55 CDT) is on the eclipse’s direct path, promising a viewing time of 4 minutes and 12 seconds just after 1:55 PM CDT.
This eclipse brings a rare opportunity for Cape Girardeau (4m6s just after 13:58 CDT) to experience its second total solar eclipse in nearly a decade, this time lasting 4 minutes and 6 seconds right after 1:58 PM CDT. Similarly, Jackson (4m10s just after 13:58 CDT) will enjoy the celestial show for 4 minutes and 10 seconds at approximately the same time, thanks to its near-central position along the eclipse’s path.
A unique viewing opportunity presents itself in Cherokee Pass, which, after being on the fringes of the 2017 eclipse, will enjoy 3 minutes and 42 seconds of totality at 1:57:33 PM CDT this year. For those eager to experience both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses from a singular vantage point, Cherokee Pass is a compelling choice, especially near the dining and fueling stations south of road “A”.
The eclipse will also grace the western Boot Heel region of Missouri, with Kennett (2m10s of totality at 13:57 CDT) and New Madrid (2m15s at just after 13:58 CDT) witnessing totality for over 2 minutes each at 1:57 PM CDT and shortly after, respectively. It’s worth noting the importance of adopting the local pronunciation when visiting New Madrid (2m15s at just after 13:58 CDT).
St. Louis, missing out on the path of totality unlike in 2017, requires residents to head south to catch the eclipse in its entirety. Destinations such as Farmington (2m30s at 13:58 CDT) and Ste. Genevieve (2m44s at just before 13:59 CDT) are promising alternatives, offering totality times of 2 minutes and 30 seconds and 2 minutes and 44 seconds, respectively.
Additional Missouri locales along the eclipse’s path include Poplar Bluff (4m8s at just after 13:56 CDT), Perryville (3m47s at just after 13:58 CDT), Sikeston (3m31s at 13:58 CDT), Malden (3m19s at just after 13:57 CDT), and Dexter (3m51s at just after 13:57 CDT), each offering spectators a chance to engage with the eclipse for durations extending up to 4 minutes and 8 seconds. The eclipse will conclude its Missouri passage north of Wittenberg (4m6s at 13:58:44 CDT), after a mesmerizing journey lasting under 10 minutes.
