(This is an archived page about the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024. For information on future eclipses, please see our Upcoming Eclipse Maps page.)
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur along a narrow path of totality in Missouri. To experience the total phase of the eclipse, you must be located within this path, with the duration of totality lasting the longest at the centerline. But where along the path should you plan to go? Below, we've outlined some of the unique features, landmarks, and viewing options along the path of totality for Missouri. We've also provided a detailed map of the path of totality in Missouri as well as totality start times and durations for Missouri cities that are located inside the path of totality on April 8, 2024.
Remember that you must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers at all times during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse. The NationalEclipse.com Eclipse Store offers a wide variety of certified safe eclipse glasses and viewers.
Note that times and durations can vary widely even within the same city and some cities are located only partially within the path of totality. All times and durations noted on this page are only representative samples and should be used for general comparison purposes only.
To avoid confusion, note that references made below to the "western" and "eastern" limits or lines of the eclipse refer respectively to the left/top and right/bottom edges of the eclipse path as it gradually changes its direction from north to east as it travels across the U.S.
The centerline of the eclipse enters Missouri at approximately 12:38pm CDT, with totality beginning in that location at about 1:54pm CDT.
Missouri is the first state along the path of the 2024 eclipse that was also along the path of the 2017 eclipse. But unlike in 2017, when large cities like Kansas City and St. Louis experienced totality as the eclipse swept across the width of the state, the 2024 eclipse misses any major population centers in its journey through the southeastern corner of Missouri.
Along the western portion of the eclipse path in Missouri, totality will be seen in several districts of Mark Twain National Forest and the centerline travels through a small section of the preserve. Running roughly parallel to the Mississippi River, Interstate 55 cuts across the entire width of the eclipse path, providing easy access to the centerline for Missourians residing along the western banks of the river. Cape Girardeau, the largest city with a ticket to the totality party in Missouri, is located very close to the eclipse centerline. In the downtown area, the duration of totality breaks the 4-minute mark at about 4 minutes and 6 seconds. Cape Girardeau was also in the path of the historic 2017 total solar eclipse, but with a totality duration that clocked in at less than 2 minutes back then, the 2024 edition promises to delight the city for over twice as long.
St. Louis sat right on the edge of totality in 2017, with half of the city inside the eclipse path and half outside. In 2024, St. Louis misses out completely, but the city is still close enough that eclipse chasers can reach the path in less than an hour. On eclipse day, drive south on I-55 or east on Interstate 64 in Illinois. Both routes will take you into the path and eventually to the centerline.
The centerline of the eclipse exits the state as it crosses the Mississippi River at approximately 3:17pm CDT, with totality coming to an end in that location at about 2:02pm CDT. From the Arkansas-Missouri border to the Missouri-Illinois border, the Moon's shadow travels approximately 110 miles along the centerline in 3 minutes and 39 seconds at an average speed of 1,813 miles per hour.
TOPFor the map below, the yellow lines outline the limits of the path of totality in Missouri. The green middle line represents the eclipse centerline, where totality lasts the longest in Missouri. The grey lines show the path of totality entering and exiting Missouri. To experience the total phase of the eclipse in Missouri, you must be within the yellow lines. The closer you are to the green centerline, the longer totality will last. Areas outside the path of totality will get a partial solar eclipse only.
(hover or tap to see points of interest in Missouri)
| City | Totality Start | Duration* |
|---|---|---|
| West Plains | 1:54:33 PM CDT | 3:04 |
| Doniphan | 1:55:28 PM CDT | 4:12 |
| Eminence | 1:55:30 PM CDT | 2:40 |
| Mountain View | 1:55:30 PM CDT | 2:17 |
| Van Buren | 1:55:49 PM CDT | 3:48 |
| Poplar Bluff | 1:56:21 PM CDT | 4:08 |
| Silva | 1:56:46 PM CDT | 4:02 |
| Malden | 1:57:11 PM CDT | 3:19 |
| Dexter | 1:57:13 PM CDT | 3:51 |
| Kennett | 1:57:14 PM CDT | 2:10 |
| Arcadia | 1:57:36 PM CDT | 2:49 |
| Sikeston | 1:58:03 PM CDT | 3:31 |
| Farmington | 1:58:17 PM CDT | 2:32 |
| Cape Girardeau | 1:58:22 PM CDT | 4:06 |
| Perryville | 1:58:27 PM CDT | 3:47 |
| Park Hills | 1:58:40 PM CDT | 1:38 |
* "Duration" refers to the duration of totality and is expressed in minutes and seconds
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