Current:Home > ScamsMany eclipse visitors to northern New England pulled an all-nighter trying to leave-LoTradeCoin
Many eclipse visitors to northern New England pulled an all-nighter trying to leave
View Date:2024-12-23 23:53:45
FRANCONIA, N.H. (AP) — Thousands of visitors to northern New England communities in the path of the total solar eclipse were told to pack their patience for the trip. In some areas, they needed it for up to 12 hours after the event started, inching their way back home on packed interstates and secondary roads.
In New Hampshire, travelers were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic much of the way through about 2 a.m. Tuesday, clogging up southbound Interstate 93. Southbound traffic on Interstate 89 also was heavy Monday evening. Southbound traffic was backed up on U.S. Highway 1 in Houlton, Maine.
New England had clear skies and mild weather Monday, making for ideal viewing conditions for totality. In New Hampshire, people flocked to places such as Lancaster, Stewartstown, Colebrook and Pittsburg, near the Canada border.
John Martin, who was visiting from Massachusetts, described it as a “creep and a crawl” near Franconia, where New Hampshire Route 3 feeds into the interstate.
“You’re looking at your GPS trying to get off of 93 to find something a little quicker, and everybody else was thinking the same thing,” he told WMUR-TV.
New Hampshire state officials had warned travelers that the return could be slow-going and encouraged people to stay in the area, which usually sees its most tourists during the summer and the fall foliage season, for a while.
“To our friends visiting from out of state, remember: there’s no sales tax in NH, so feel free to stay a bit longer!” Gov. Chris Sununu had said Friday.
Traffic also came to a crawl in other states.
In Paducah, Kentucky, which was in the path of totality, along with communities to the west in Illinois, thousands of people crossed the Ohio River after watching the eclipse. Post-eclipse traffic also moved very slowly in places such as southbound Interstate 65 in southern Indiana, and along southbound Interstate 81 in New York and Pennsylvania.
veryGood! (485)
Related
- Trump’s economic agenda for his second term is clouding the outlook for mortgage rates
- Why Ryan Reynolds 'kicked' himself for delayed 'Deadpool' tribute to Rob Delaney's son
- Over 165,000 pounds of Perdue chicken nuggets and tenders recalled after metal wire found
- As much as 10 inches of rain floods parts of Connecticut. At least 1 person is dead
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- A North Carolina woman dies after going on a Vodou retreat in Haiti. Her son wants answers.
- Hurry! J.Crew Factory's Best Deals End Tonight: 40-60% Off Everything, Plus an Extra 60% Off Clearance
- Danielle Fishel’s Husband Jensen Karp Speaks Out After She Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Georgia remains part of College Football Playoff bracket projection despite loss
- Texas jury deciding if student’s parents are liable in a deadly 2018 school shooting
Ranking
- Demure? Brain rot? Oxford announces shortlist for 2024 Word of the Year: Cast your vote
- Former NFL player accused of urinating on fellow passenger on Dublin flight issues apology
- 1000-Lb. Sisters' Tammy Slaton Shows Off 500 Pound Weight Loss Transformation in New Video
- Police arrest 75-year-old man suspected of raping, killing woman in 1973 cold case
- See Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Winning NFL Outing With Kids Zuma and Apollo
- Paul Mescal Seemingly Confirms Romance With Gracie Abrams During London Outings
- Khadijah Haqq's Ex Bobby McCray Files for Divorce One Year She Announces Breakup
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Cutting the Cards
Recommendation
-
Incredible animal moments: Watch farmer miraculously revive ailing chick, doctor saves shelter dogs
-
3 killed in Washington state house fire were also shot; victim’s husband wanted
-
Wildfire that burned 15 structures near Arizona town was caused by railroad work, investigators say
-
Value meal wars heat up as more fast food spots, restaurants offer discounted menu items
-
US Open finalist Taylor Fritz talks League of Legends, why he hated tennis and how he copied Sampras
-
Georgia election board approves new rules that critics fear could allow certification delays
-
Police add fences ahead of second planned day of protests in Chicago for Democratic convention
-
Matthew Perry's Doctors Lose Prescription Credentials Amid Ketamine Case