With up to 1 million people expected to be traveling in the path of totality, heavy traffic is a near certainty.

What’s more, it’s probably inescapable.

We asked the Oregon Department of Transportation for the top five to 10 trouble spots it would be monitoring. A spokesman came back with a list of 11 highway sections criss-crossing the state that are at the top of the agency's list.

Driving this weekend? Uh... good luck out there.

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Interstate 5 from Portland to south of Eugene

Portlanders and Washingtonians making a day trip into the path of totality will clog Oregon's main north-south routes.

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U.S. 101 (all of it)

Californians, Washingtonians and Oregonians headed for the coast will jam Highway 101, which for most of its length is a two-lane highway with no divider.

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U.S. 26 from Portland to Madras

For eclipse weekend, Madras has found itself in the center of the universe. Portlanders making the trip will likely make for U.S. 26, which has enough traffic problems during the skiing season.

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U.S. 97 from Bend to Klamath Falls

Visitors from California will head up U.S. 97 for the prime eclipse viewing in the high desert. They'll likely continue on to Madras or other environs in the path of totality.

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U.S. 97 from Interstate 84 to Bend

A route from Washington State to Madras, and part of an alternative route for traveling Portlanders, U.S. 97 isn't likely to fare much better than U.S. 26.

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U.S. 26 from Madras to Ontario

People will be traveling to Madras from the eastern side of the state, and from Idaho beyond.

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Oregon 126 from U.S. 20 to U.S. 97

This short stretch of highway connects Sisters and Redmond. Like every highway around Bend, it's expected to be crowded.

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Oregon 18 from the Coast to Oregon 22 junction

This stretch of Oregon 18 is part of the most direct route from Portland to the coastal communities in the path of totality.

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Oregon 22 from Oregon 18 to the U.S. 20 junction

This highway connects the eclipse viewing zone on the Oregon Coast with Santiam Pass and a route to Central Oregon.

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U.S. 20 from Interstate 5 to U.S. 97

A key route between the Interstate 5 corridor and Central Oregon, this highway takes motorists through the Cascade Range via Santiam Pass.

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Oregon 58 from U.S. 97 to Interstate 5

The two-lane Willamette Highway is a scenic connection through the Cascades between two major north-south routes.

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-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus