Local News

Post-eclipse traffic clogs Vermont, New Hampshire interstates

Major interstates in Vermont were clogged, while the highways through New Hampshire were relatively clear a few hours after the end of the total solar eclipse.

A motorcycle cruises down the breakdown lane as solar eclipse seekers and drivers head north on Route 93 in heavy traffic hours before an afternoon total eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Hooksett, N.H. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

By Molly Farrar

April 8, 2024

Thousands traveled to watch the eclipse in its path of totality across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine Monday afternoon. After sitting through hours of traffic to get to the north of New England, many headed back south.

I-91 and I-89 clogged in Vermont

In Vermont, southbound traffic was crawling across the entire state. From Burlington to the New Hampshire border on I-89, traffic was slow Monday evening. The Vermont Agency of Transportation said it’s “as expected.”

“Please be patient as our visitors leave after viewing the eclipse,” they wrote. The agency also said travelers on I-91 – which goes north and south through Vermont and into Massachusetts – are slow or stalled for more than 80 miles.

Much of I-91 through Vermont and I-89 through Montpelier were backed up as of 7:45 p.m., traffic maps show.

As expected, southbound traffic is slow on the interstates. On I-89, traffic is delayed from Exit 16 Colchester to the NH border. On I-91, traffic is slow from Exit 27 in Newport/Derby to Exit 15 in Fairlee. Please be patient as our visitors leave after viewing the eclipse.
— Vermont Agency of Transportation (@AOTVermont) April 8, 2024

Windsor, Vermont’s Police Chief Jennifer Frank shared a comparison of northbound and southbound traffic around 4:30 p.m. after the eclipse. A steady stream of cars slowly traveling one side, while a lone car traveled on the other.

Traffic clears in New Hampshire

The congestion in New Hampshire was well-documented while drivers headed to the path of totality Monday morning. State police shared an aerial shot of drivers heading northbound I-93 and I-89 just before noon.

#TrafficAlert⚠️ Aerial video from the #NHSP Special Enforcement Unit shows drivers heading northbound via I-93 and I-89 are experiencing delays from Hooksett through the Concord area. For real-time traffic updates, visit https://t.co/u9bTeru7p2. #Eclipse #Eclipse2024 #traffic pic.twitter.com/PHniACRS0g
— New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) April 8, 2024

Around 7 p.m., traffic trackers were still showing major delays between Woodstock and Franconia, New Hampshire, which the state’s Department of Transportation warned about earlier in the afternoon.

Large stretches of the major thoroughfares through New Hampshire were relatively clear compared to neighboring Vermont, the traffic trackers showed around 7:45 p.m.

One resident shared a video of bumper-to-bumper traffic through small towns Gorham and Berlin, New Hampshire.

“I have NEVER seen this much traffic in Gorham/Berlin, New Hampshire for as long as I have lived here! This isn’t even half the traffic! So wild!! I’m thankful to be driving the opposite direction,” they wrote.

Maine’s rural towns experience traffic congestion

In Maine, the path of totality covered the state’s northern towns like Houlton, Jackman, and Rangeley. The state’s Department of Transportation said to expect severe traffic on Interstate 295 through Augusta.

Cars were parked on both sides of Route 27 In the rural town of Eustis, which has a population of around 600 people.