Find Your Path to the Total Solar Eclipse
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.
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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
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 
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.
Local Travel Resources
Other Travel Resources
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
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 |
Eclipse Viewing Tips
Please reference these sources for eclipse safety information
Carpool Activities
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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.
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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.
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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
- After the total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen in the US will be on August 23rd, 2044.
- Things to do in the area: Explore New York Attractions & Things To Do | Hotels & Events (iloveny.com)
- Events and Activities at N.Y. State Parks