TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Highway Patrol are asking drivers to plan ahead if they are traveling on April 8, the day of the total solar eclipse.
KDOT and KHP said they expect traffic to increase on the day of the eclipse. They ask that drivers be patient, avoid distractions, and practice safe driving habits.
“Pay attention to the roadway, not the sky,” said KDOT Director of Safety Troy Whitworth.
“Be on the lookout for other drivers who may be distracted. Traffic will most likely be heavy before, during and after the event in the locations where the eclipse can be viewed. So, plan your travel accordingly.”
Kansas is not in the direct viewing area of the total solar eclipse. It will enter the U.S. in Texas, and cross 14 states. One of those states is Missouri.
According to NASA’s projections, several cities, villages, towns and unincorporated communities in Missouri will offer at least two minutes of totality come eclipse day.
Here are the best areas to see the eclipse in Missouri:
CITY COUNTY TOTALITY TIME TOTALITY BEGINS Doniphan Ripley 4:12 1:55:28 p.m. Poplar Bluff Butler 4:08 1:56:21 p.m. Cape Girardeau Cape Girardeau & Scott 4:06 1:58:22 p.m. Silva Wayne 4:02 1:56:46 p.m. Benton Scott 3:54 1:58:09 p.m.
More cities with totality times beyond three minutes: West Plains, Van Buren, Malden, Dexter, Sikeston, Benton, Perryville
More cities with totality times beyond two minutes: Eminence, Mountain View, Kennett, Arcadia, Farmington
KDOT and KHP also ask drivers not to use the shoulders of highways and interstates to watch the solar eclipse.