Brace yourself as 'insane' traffic expected on solar eclipse day

On April 8, the United States, Mexico and Canada will be witnessing a solar eclipse, which is expected to be witnessed by around 31 million who live in the path of totality, while five million are expected to travel to watch the rare celestial event, New York Post reported.

The solar eclipse will be witnessed in at least 15 states in the US.

Richard Fienberg, project manager of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Eclipse Task Force, said: "Having a total solar eclipse pass through the US is kind of like having 20 or 30 Super Bowls happening all at once. So many people are gathering for the spectacle over a long distance."

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued advisory alerts, suggesting spectators to drive early, and stay longer in the town where they're viewing the eclipse to avoid traffic.

According to report by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, if all the expected 5 million visitors were to leave as soon as the eclipse ends, the ensuing traffic would be equivalent to 71 sold out football games ending all at once.

Texas Department of Transportation media relations director Adam Hammons said: "The eclipse runs through I-35, which is a significant corridor in the state that traverses through small towns as well as larger metro areas like Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth."

He has notified that the most extreme traffic could be seen along the AR Highway 70 to Benton, AR Highway 65 from Conway to Greenbrier, and more.

Niagara Falls is expected to be an area of high interest by eclipse spectators.