CLEVELAND — The 2024 solar eclipse inches ever closer, and Cleveland has a front-row seat to the minutes-long cosmic event on April 8 that will plunge the area into temporary darkness.

What You Need To Know

  • The city of Cleveland has issued guidance related to traffic and parking on the day of the solar eclipse

  • The city is cautioning drivers to expect traffic delays and be wary of restrictions to parking on some streets
  • Specific guidance to parking can be found on the city’s Total Solar Eclipse 2024 countdown website

The event is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the area as parks, businesses and science organizations host watch parties for the eclipse.

The city of Cleveland has issued guidance related to traffic and parking on the day of the event. The city is cautioning drivers to expect traffic delays and be wary of restrictions to parking. Specific guidance to parking can be found on the city’s Total Solar Eclipse 2024 countdown website.

The city’s site notes that traffic officers will be spread throughout the city at ramps and lights to help direct drivers. Various roads will be closed including all Route 2 westbound ramps at I-90. Other roads, like St. Clair and Lakeside from West 9th to East 9th will be no parking/no stopping zones.

A map of downtown road closures and parking restrictions for the eclipse.
(Courtesy City of Cleveland)

For a full list of road closures and parking/stopping restrictions, visit the city’s website.

The city website also includes highlights some parking options.

  • Cleveland Municipal lot at 1500 S. Marginal Road — opens at 5 a.m. at $50
  • Willard Garage and surface lot at 601 Lakeside Ave. — Opens at 5 a.m. at $60
  • Canal Parking Lot at 1519 Merwin Ave. — Opens at 12:01 a.m. at $50

If you don’t want to worry about finding parking or navigating the influx of traffic, the city also points residents and visitors in town for the eclipse toward the Greater Cleveland RTA public transit system.

The Waterfront Line will be up from April 6-8 connecting Tower City downtown to the North Coast Harbor and Great Lakes Science Center. The science center is partnering with NASA’s Glenn Research Center to host Total Eclipse Fest 2024 with various events and activities on the days around the phenomenon.

The city recommends downloading the Transit App for real-time info on RTA arrivals and departures in the city.

While the city said bikes and scooters are good ways to navigate the city, they recommend caution to riders and drivers amid the high-traffic weekend and event day.

Check back at the city’s website for updates on this guidance as the event draws nearer.

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