WEST GARDINER, Maine — The eclipse is over, but the traffic brought to Maine roads hasn't left yet.
The heaviest traffic, expected around the totality zone, is now feeding into Maine's major highways including Interstate 295 and the Maine Turnpike.
The Maine Turnpike Authority brought in extra toll workers at the West Gardiner Service Plaza, Exit 44, and at the York tolls. Turnpike officials say about 30,000 motorists came through the York tolls on Sunday, a volume comparable to Labor Day weekend traffic.
Maine Turnpike Authority spokesperson Erin Courtney told NEWS CENTER Maine the distance to major highways from the totality zone is several hours, which could help ease traffic backlogs.
"If they are all up in Greenville, Houlton, Jackman areas, they will at least miss the evening commute because it will take them that long to get down to central and southern Maine," Courtney explained.
We talked to motorists who stopped at rest areas along the Turnpike to stock up on snacks, including Jamie Marquez and Tara Chen who drove up from Brooklyn, New York early Monday morning in a rental car. They were headed to Greenville to watch the eclipse. They hope they can avoid leaving Monday night and instead head back to the Empire State on Tuesday.
"If we can find a place, we will stay the night and avoid all the traffic coming home," Tara said.
NEWS CENTER Maine caught up with Veronica Druchniak from Standish at the West Gardiner rest area. She and her family were heading to Millinocket to see the eclipse.
"[Traffic was] so far so good on the way up, and I imagine on the way back as well. We will have plenty of snacks in the car on the way home," Veronica quipped.
Highway officials say bottlenecks could happen at the junction of I-295 and the Turnpike in West Gardiner as visitors from different areas of the totality zone converge.
Assistant Airport Director at the Portland Jetport Zach Sundquist told NEWS CENTER Maine in a statement that all flights are on schedule, and there has not been a huge uptick in airline traffic due to the historic event.