Driving to watch the solar eclipse? Brace for backups

ATLANTA — If you’re going into the Chattahoochee National Forest to watch the solar eclipse, brace for backups.

The U.S. Forest Service says you could be stuck in traffic for hours.

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One of the routes up to Georgia’s tallest mountains is through a place called Turners Crossing.

“This gets very packed every weekend,” U.S. Forest Service spokesman Steven Bekkerus said.

Bekkerus says visitors planning to go that way for the eclipse need to prepare for what might be a record traffic jam.

"Folks need to plan ahead. They need to really have a plan. It's going to be a very crowded day in the forest,” Bekkerus said.

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The Forest Service say the two-lane roads feature sharp turns and cars might be parked along both sides.

Officials say they are not trying to discourage visitors from attempting to climb as high as they can on the day of the eclipse, but they are asking people to consider attending one of a number of watch parties in the cities of Blairsville, Helen and Dahlonega.

"You can see the eclipse wherever the sun is shining. You don't need to be at a high elevation, and you actually might have a better view down in the valley,” Bekkerus said.

Cox Media Group