Where to go in Austin to be in the total solar eclipse path of totality

If you’re in Austin-Travis County for the April 8 total solar eclipse, you’ll likely be in the path of totality. That means you will be able to see the moon directly pass between the sun and Earth, fully covering the sun but allowing its corona to be visible at the time of totality. But not everyone in the area will be able to see totality, specifically those in far southeastern Austin-Travis County.

The path of totality for the Monday, April 8, total solar eclipse, which won’t happen in the Austin area again until 2343, spans a 115-mile wide line going from Mexico to Canada. While a partial solar eclipse will be visible from across the entire U.S., seeing the total eclipse is what will make this event the most memorable. 

“The difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial one is literally the difference between night and day, so get yourself into the path of totality if you can! The closer you are to the center of that path, the longer totality, the maximum point of the eclipse, will last,” Exploratorium wrote on its website about the April 8 eclipse. 

While most of Austin-Travis County sits directly in the path of totality, the edge of totality will end around the intersection of Texas State Highway 71 and U.S. 183 in southeast Austin, and cities like Del Valle, Hornsby Bend, Webberville, Colton, Pilot Knob, San Marcos, and Kyle won’t be able to see totality. Manor and Buda lie on the edge of the path, so it may be best to check your location and possibly travel a little west to ensure visibility.

“The far southeast corner of Austin will not be in the path of totality, but that’s down at the airport and part of McKinney Falls State Park and Del Valle. Truly, anywhere in Austin, especially the further west you go, that’ll be a little bit better because you get longer totality,” Lara Eakins, public outreach coordinator in the astronomy department at the University of Texas at Austin, told MySA. “That said, if you are in the path of totality, you’ve got a minute or two in your backyard, just stay where you are. Don’t bother trying to go west. The traffic is something we’re all concerned about.”

This website, recommended by UT Austin astronomy experts, allows anyone to input their specific location and see exact timings down to the second of when the eclipse will start, reach totality, and end. For most of Austin, those timings are around 12:17 p.m. for the partial eclipse to begin, 1:35 to 1:37 p.m. for totality to start and last for around two minutes, and 2:58 p.m. for the partial eclipse to end. But be sure to check your address for exact timings, as they can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on your location. 

For Austin, MySA rounded up some eclipse watch parties and events to attend to ensure you’re seeing the total solar eclipse, some of which will have astronomy experts present to explain the event and provide eclipse glasses guidance as it happens. Make sure you have a pair of ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses, which many places in Austin are handing out for free, to avoid damaging your eyes. Most of these eclipse events will have a limited number of glasses to hand out on April 8 as well, but it’s best to come prepared in case they run out.