Find Your Path to the Total Solar Eclipse

On April 8th, 2024, western New York will be in the path of totality of a solar eclipse, offering a chance to avoid traffic by going car-free or car-lite. In 2017, a total solar eclipse drew crowds to the path of totality. This event led to congestion on the interstate and rural routes, with delays stretching up to 15 hours.

Help us reduce post-event traffic: extend your stay and enjoy all that New York State has to offer! Sign the pledge below that you’ll go car-free or car-lite to view the solar eclipse and be eligible for tickets to viewing events and post-eclipse activities provided by local venues.

Learn More

Reach Out to Us

Our Mobility Support Specialists are here to help get you to the eclipse car-free. Click Chat Now in the lower right corner. Or click here for other ways to contact us.

Train and Bike to the Eclipse

Multimodal travel presents an excellent option for organizing your solar eclipse adventure along the Empire State Trail. For over 3 minutes, half of the Erie Canalway Trail from Syracuse to Buffalo will be in the path of totality for the 2024 Solar Eclipse.

With Amtrak stations located in cities and towns along the statewide route, one can access prime eclipse-viewing locations via train and or bicycle. You can easily pinpoint train station stops on the interactive trail map.

Some Amtrak services allow bicycles on board passenger cars for a fee (advance reservation required; bike capacity is limited per train). Alternatively, certain routes accommodate bicycles, but they must be boxed and transported in a baggage car. For comprehensive guidance, consult "Bikes on Board: A Guide to Using Amtrak to Ride the Erie Canalway Trail" by Parks and Trails NY, or visit Amtrak's dedicated bicycle travel webpage.

If you're curious about bicycle transport options on Metro-North Railroad service, simply click here.

For other 511NY Rideshare bike resources click here.

Bike to the Eclipse Viewing

Biking to the eclipse viewing spot not only ensures you'll avoid traffic jams, but you'll reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Personalized Transit Assistance

Personalized Travel Assistance

Looking to improve your commute? Or plan a trip to a new place? Complete this request form to receive a custom travel plan from the 511NY Rideshare team.

Solar Eclipse Long Distance Travel Guide

Explore your travel options here for witnessing the solar eclipse and plan your journey for this extraordinary celestial event.

Single-Trip Carpool Matching

Register here 511NYRideshare.org (Registration is Quick, Easy, and FREE). You will receive a welcome email, click the Log In link to confirm your password. Then select Find a Carpool from the menu then A blue and white sign with a white cross and an orange circleDescription automatically generated to create a One-Time Trip from origin to destination. Once you have saved your trip, you’ll see a new blue button appear “Find Ridematches”. You can contact any matches through the site.

Other Travel Resources

Electric Vehicle Station Locator       
Find alternative fueling stations
Transit Trip Planner
Interactive map to find the best transit options
Park & Ride Lots
Park & Ride lots are available in locations across New York State to help travelers share rides or catch public transit.

Pledge Form

Travel Sustainably and Unlock Local Travel Perks

The following sustainably-focused organizations are offering perks for those making sustainable trips to view the eclipse. 
*No federal, state, or local government funds support perks.
April 8th Total Eclipse of the Park Syracuse Mets versus the Rochester Red Wings.
Visit Irises in Plattsburgh for 10% off dine-in food purchases with the code word “Sustainable Travel” on April 8th from 11 am to 7 pm. 

Visit Dot’s Gift Boutique in Jamestown, NY on April 8th. Use the code “ Sustainable Travel” for a 10% discount.

NY State Viewing Locations and Eclipse Times

The eclipse will begin in western New York shortly after 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Full totality will begin in Chautauqua County at 3:17 p.m., moving through the state to Plattsburgh at 3:25 p.m. Locations in the path of totality could experience total darkness for up to 4 minutes. 
LOCATION (Click for viewing sites and local info) PARTIAL ECLIPSE BEGINS FULL ECLIPSE BEGINS FULL ECLIPSE ENDS PARTIAL ECLIPSE ENDS
Jamestown 2:03:38 PM 3:17:55 PM 3:20:46 PM 4:31:43 PM
Buffalo 2:04:56 PM 3:18:20 PM 3:22:06 PM 4:32:10 PM
Rochester 2:07:00 PM 3:20:08 PM 3:23:47 PM 4:33:26 PM
Syracuse 2:09:01 PM 3:23:03 PM 3:24:30 PM 4:34:49 PM
Watertown 2:10:05 PM 3:22:33 PM 3:26:12 PM 4:35:01 PM
Plattsburgh 2:14:03 PM 3:25:44 PM 3:29:18 PM 4:37:07 PM

Carpool Activities

  • The License Plate Game: Make a group effort to spot license plates from all 50 states. Whoever spots and calls out a state first gets a point. (Bonus points for the first person to spy a Canadian plate!) The family member with the most points at the end of the drive wins.
  1. Print the cards out and laminate for extra durability and BINGO playing fun. After they’re laminated, kids could also use the game while in the car by marking off the spots of the things they see along the way with a dry-erase marker.
  2. You can play traditional bingo rules that call for 5 in a row (diagonal, horizontal or vertical) or play alternative games like four corners or blackout…NOTE with these cards if everyone sees the same thing, they will all get blackout at the same time.

Fun Facts

Transportation Playlist