Travelers should plan for heavy traffic, potential delays, and more as they travel to and from the Dayton region around the total solar eclipse festivities. The eclipse will occur around 3 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024 with eclipse-themed events planned in the area starting as soon as April 1.

“We’re pleased this once-in-a-lifetime event will bring people to the Dayton region,” explains City of Dayton Director of Aviation, Gil Turner. “However, this means increased road and passenger traffic that travelers should be aware of if they will be flying with us, especially the day of the eclipse.”

Travelers heading to the airport on April 8 will need to plan on traffic congestion and should leave home for the airport earlier than usual. In addition to traffic, cell phone reception can be impacted if the number of visitors using cell phones overloads the networks.

Dayton International Airport could experience increased passenger traffic with people traveling to the region to experience the total solar eclipse in Dayton. Travelers should plan for longer wait times for the TSA Security Checkpoint.

Total solar eclipses are rare celestial events that take place when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. A narrow band across the map including Ohio will experience totality, or the total solar eclipse, while other areas of the country will see a partial solar eclipse. The last total solar eclipse in Ohio took place in 1806, while the next one won’t occur until 2099.

For more information about the eclipse festivities in Dayton, visit the Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau.