On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur along a narrow path of totality in Pennsylvania. To experience the total phase of the eclipse, you must be located within this path. 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 Pennsylvania. We've also provided a detailed map of the path of totality in Pennsylvania as well as totality start times and durations for Pennsylvania 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 determine the precise start time, end time, and duration of totality for your exact location on eclipse day, use the interactive Google eclipse maps developed by Xavier Jubier.
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 Pennsylvania over Lake Erie at approximately 2:01pm EDT, with totality beginning in that location at about 3:15pm EDT.
The eclipse takes a relatively short jaunt through Pennsylvania, crossing over the northwestern corner of the state. Technically, the centerline does run through Pennsylvania, but it's entirely over water—it scoots across Lake Erie on the U.S. side of the border with Canada that divides the lake in half. Unless they have a boat, nobody will see totality on the centerline in the Keystone State. The western line of the eclipse path doesn't make it into Pennsylvania at all, having exited the U.S. for Canada back in Ohio.
The largest city along the eclipse path in Pennsylvania, and the only one with any significant population, is Erie. Located less than 20 miles away from the waterborne cenerline, the lakeside city is about as close to the centerline as you can get in Pennsylvania without getting your feet wet. In the downtown area, totality will last for a very generous 3 minutes and 40 seconds. And if that's not enough, you can even squeeze a few additional seconds of darkness out of your experience by driving out onto Presque Isle State Park, which juts out into the lake. All along the shore of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania, Interstate 90 provides access to lakeside viewing and the longest durations in the state.
Pittsburgh is a little over an hour away from totality on the eastern side of the eclipse path. On eclipse day, drive north on Interstate 79 to reach totality in Pennsylvania or west on Interstate 76 to reach the path in Ohio. Before exiting Pennsylvania, the path of totality crosses over the northern reaches of Allegheny National Forest, but durations of totality will be relatively short here along the eastern edge of the path.
The centerline of the eclipse exits the state over Lake Erie at approximately 4:31pm EDT, with totality coming to an end in that location at about 3:20pm EDT. From the Ohio-Pennsylvania border to the Pennsylvania-New York border, the Moon's shadow travels approximately 44 miles along the centerline in 1 minute and 12 seconds at an average speed of 2,223 miles per hour.
TOPFor the map below, the yellow line outlines the limits of the path of totality in Pennsylvania. The green middle line represents the eclipse centerline, where totality lasts the longest in Pennsylvania (the centerline is entirely over water in Pennsylvania). The grey lines show the path of totality entering and exiting Pennsylvania (the western line of the path doesn't enter Pennsylvania). To experience the total phase of the eclipse in Pennsylvania, you must be inside the yellow line. Areas outside the path of totality will get a partial solar eclipse only.
(hover or tap to see points of interest in Pennsylvania)
| City | Totality Start | Duration* |
|---|---|---|
| North Springfield | 3:15:50 PM EDT | 3:43 |
| Edinboro | 3:16:22 PM EDT | 3:19 |
| Erie | 3:16:24 PM EDT | 3:40 |
| Meadville | 3:16:34 PM EDT | 2:35 |
| North East | 3:16:47 PM EDT | 3:40 |
| Warren | 3:18:56 PM EDT | 0:47 |
* "Duration" refers to the duration of totality and is expressed in minutes and seconds
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