See Solar Cars Along the Route

See the route page for the exact roads as well as details on the checkpoints and stage stops. The best place to see the cars up close will be one of these stops. If you are not located near one of the stops, or want to see them on the road, see below for information on when you may be able to see them near you!

The American Solar Challenge on-road hours runs from 9am to 6pm daily. Solar cars will be on the road between these hours. There is a small grace period at the end of the day (-15/+30 minutes) for teams to find a good stopping point, their starting time the next day is adjusted accordingly.

• TN
• KY
• IL
• MO
• KS
• NE
• WY

• Solar Cars will be on the roads in Tennessee on Saturday, July 20th. From the startline in Nashville, they will head north towards the first checkpoint in Paducah, KY.

  Nashville

  The Electrek American Solar Challenge 2024 starts in Nashville. See the solar cars on display on Friday, July 19th or attend the event start on Saturday at 9am.

  Solar Cars will depart at 9am, one vehicle every minute. You can see the solar cars on the road in Nashville — they will follow US-31/US-41 through downtown, cross the Cumberland River on the Victory Memorial Bridge, and take US-431 north out of Nashville following the Trail of Tears Auto Route.

  Solar Cars will likely be on the roads in Nashville from 9am to 9:45am on July 20th.

  Joelton

  Solar cars will likely pass through Joelton on US-41 fairly bunched together as it is not long after the startline. Expect to see solar cars between 9:30am and 10:30am on July 20th.

  Springfield

  The solar cars will be more spread out as they get into Springfield. They will enter Springfield from the south on US-431, follow Memorial Blvd (US-41/431) through town, and leave via TN-161. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:45am and 11:00am on July 20th.

• Solar Cars will be on the road in Kentucky on Saturday, July 20th, a few cars may remain in Western Kentucky during the start of the day on Sunday, July 21st. Solar cars will enter Kentucky from the south on the way from Nashville, stop in Paducah, and finally head west across the Cairo Ohio River Bridge.

  Guthrie

  Solar Cars will pass the outskirts of Guthrie on US-79S and US-41N. Expect to see most solar cars between 10:30am and 12:30pm on July 20th.

  Trenton

  Solar cars will pass through Trenton on US-41. Expect to most solar cars between 10:45am and 12:45pm on July 20th.

  Pembroke

  Solar cars will pass through Pembroke on US-41. Expect to most solar cars between 10:45am and 1:00pm on July 20th.

  Hopkinsville

  Solar cars will pass right through downtown Hopkinsville, entering on US-41, then following 9th and 7th through town, and finally leaving on US-68 West. At this point the solar cars will likely have spread out more, although some teams may be traveling in bunches.

  Expect to see most solar cars between 11:00am and 2:00pm on July 20th.

  Cadiz

  Solar cars will pass by Cadiz on US-68 West. Expect to see most solar cars between 11:30am and 2:45pm on July 20th.

  Aurora

  Solar cars will pass through Aurora on US-68. Expect to see most solar cars between 12pm and 3:15pm on July 20th.

  Draffenville

  Solar cars will pass through Draffenville on US-68. Solar cars will be fairly spread out by this point as this is one of the last cities before the next checkpoint. Expect to see most solar cars between 12:30pm and 3:30pm.

  Paducah

  Paducah is the first checkpoint on the Electrek ASC 2024. Solar cars will stop in downtown Paducah at the Farmers Market Lot. Solar cars will stop for a minimum of 45 minutes, teams who arrive with enough time will be able to gain additional miles by driving the optional Paducah loop. No teams will be allowed to leave Paducah and continue on the route until 4:00pm.

  The first team will likely not arrive to the checkpoint until after 1:00pm. If there are poor weather conditions, it will be later. Most teams should be present in the checkpoint between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.

  Expect to see solar cars on the road in the Paducah area from around 12:45pm to 5:00pm on July 20th. Some teams will be arriving from Nashville, others will be driving the optional loop, and after 4pm teams will be continuing on towards the next stage stop in Edwardsville, IL.

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  Ledbetter

  Ledbetter is on the Paducah Optional Loop. Not all teams will attempt to complete this loop. Teams that do will pass through Ledbetter on US-60 likely from 2:00pm to 3:30pm.

  Calvert City

  Calvert city is on the Paducah Optional Loop. Not all teams will attempt to complete this loop. Teams that do will pass through Calverty City on US-62 likely from 2:30pm to 4:00pm.

  Kevil

  Solar cars will pass through Kevil on US-60. Kevil is shortly after the Paducah checkpoint, so most teams will likely be fairly bunched at this point. Expect to see most teams between 4:30pm and 5:15pm.

  La Center

  Solar cars will pass through La Center on US-60. La Center is shortly after the Paducah checkpoint, so most teams will likely still be fairly bunched at this point. Expect to see most teams between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.

  Barlow

  Solar cars will pass through Barlow on US-60. Teams will start to be a little more spread out at this point. Expect to see most teams between 4:45pm and 5:45pm.

  Wickliffe

  Solar cars will enter Wickliffe on US-60 from the north before turning in Wickliffe to cross the Ohio River into Illinois. Expect to see most solar cars between 4:45pm and 6:00pm. Some teams may choose to end their day in this area.

• The first solar cars will be on the roads in Southern Illinois late on Saturday, July 20th. All solar cars will be on the road in Illinois on Sunday, July 21st and the morning of Monday, July 22nd. Solar cars will enter Illinois from Kentucky at its southern tip in Cairo and follow IL-3 all the way to the St. Louis area for the Edwardsville stage stop. After departing Edwardsville on the 22nd, they will quickly head into Missouri near Alton.

  Cairo

  Solar cars will pass through Cairo on US-51; they will start to be more spread out. Expect to see most cars between 5:00pm and 6:00pm. Some teams may choose to end their day in this area, in which case they will be on the roads the next morning around 9:00am as well.

  Olive Branch

  Solar cars will pass through Olive Branch on IL-3; they will be more spread out at this point. The first solar cars will likely pass through after 5:30pm on July 20th. Some teams will likely end their day near here. Most of the remaining teams will pass through between 8:45am and 9:45am on July 21st.

  Thebes

  Solar cars will pass through the outskirts of Thebes on IL-3. The solar cars will be fairly spread out. The first cars may make it to Thebes after 5:45pm on July 20th. Some teams will likely end their day near here. Most of the remaining teams will pass through between 8:45am and 10:00am on July 21st.

  East Cape Girardeau

  Teams will make a short loop on Stage 1 into Cape Girardeau, MO on IL-146/M0-74. The first solar cars may just make it to the Cape Girardeau area on July 20th around 6:00pm and will likely end their day in the area. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:00am and 10:15am on July 21st.

  Ware

  The very first solar cars might just make it to Ware on July 20th, expect to see most solar cars on July 21st between 9:00am and 10:30am.

  Rockwood

  Solar cars will pass through Rockwood on IL-3 and will be getting more spread out by this point. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:45am and 11:45am on July 21st.

  Chester

  Solar cars will pass right through downtown Chester on IL-3, they will be more spread out at this point. Expect to see most solar cars between 10:00am and 12:00pm on July 21st.

  Ellis Grove

  Solar cars will pass through Ellis Grove on IL-3. Expect to see most solar cars between 10:15am and 12:45pm.

  Evansville

  Solar cars will pass by the outskirts of Evansville on IL-3. Expect to see most solar cars between 10:15am and 1:00pm.

  Ruma

  Solar cars will pass through Ruma on IL-3. Expect to see most solar cars between 10:30am and 1:15pm.

  Red Bud

  Teams will pass through Red Bud on IL-3 (turning downtown to stay on IL-3). They will be fairly spread out at this point, expect to see most car between 10:45am and 1:30pm.

  Waterloo

  Solar cars will be quite spread out as they pass through Waterloo on IL-3. Expect to see most solar cars between 11:00am and 2:15pm.

  Millstadt

  Solar Cars will enter Millstadt from the west on IL-158 before turning north onto IL-163 in Millstadt. Expect to see most solar cars between 11:15am and 2:30pm.

  Caseyville

  Solar cars will pass through Caseyville on IL-157. They will be very spread out by this point as it is just shortly before the next stage stop. Expect to see most solar cars between 11:45am and 3:00pm.

  Edwardsville

  Edwardsville is the stage stop between stage 1 and 2. Solar cars will start arriving here most likely after 12:00pm on July 21st. Most teams should be in Edwardsville by 4:00pm. Teams who arrive early will have the option to drive the Edwardsville loop to gain aditional miles. This loop takes them north out of Edwardsville, east into Hamel, before returning right through downtown Edwardsville. Solar cars can drive the loop until 6:00pm.

  Only July 22nd, solar cars will leave from the Edwardsville stage stop starting at 9:00am.

  Hamel

  Hamel is on the Edwardsville loop. Teams who arrive to the Edwardsville stage stop with enough time can optionally decide to drive this loop. Typically, many teams will run the loops at stage stops. Expect to see solar cars on the road in Hamel between 1:00pm and 5:45pm on July 21st.

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  Alton

  Alton is shortly after the start of Stage 2. Solar cars will be fairly close together as they pass through on IL-143 before crossing the Mississippi into Missouri on US-67. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:15am and 10:00am on July 22nd.

• Teams will briefly enter Missouri on Stage 1 in Cape Girardeau on July 20th/21st.

  Cape Girardeau

  Teams will make a short loop into Cape Girardeau on M0-74, through town, and then back to Illinois on MO-74. The first solar cars may just make it to the Cape Girardeau area on July 20th around 6pm and will likely end their day in the area. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:00am and 10:15am on July 21st.

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  Teams will spend nearly all of Stage 2 in Missouri on July 22nd/23rd. Starting from the St. Louis area they will head west to Jefferson City, then Indpendence where they turn north to St. Joseph.

  St. Charles

  Teams will be starting to spread out as they get into St. Charles about 40 miles into Stage 2. Solar cars pass through St. Charles following a series of roads along the bank of the Missouri River. Expect to see most solar cars on the road in St. Charles on July 22nd from 10:00am to 11:45pm.

  Defiance

  Solar cars will likely be fairly spread out by the time they get to Defiance on MO-94. Expect to see most solar cars from 10:45am to 12:45pm.

  Washington

  Solar cars will cross the Missouri River into Washington on MO-47 and then turn on MO-100 west out of Washinton. Expect to see most solar cars from 11:15am to 1:30pm.

  Hermann

  Solar cars will cross back to the north side of the Missouri River in Hermann, entering from the east on MO-100 then crossing the river on MO-19. Expect to see most solar cars from 11:45am to 2:15pm.

  Portland

  Solar cars will be pretty spread out at this point as they pass through Portland on MO-94, not far before the first checkpoint. Expect to see most solar cars between 12:15pm and 3:00pm.

  Jefferson City

  Jefferson City is the first checkpoint on Stage 2. The solar cars will stop at the State Capitol. The first solar car will likely arrive after 1:00pm. Solar cars will be held for a minimum of 45 minutes. If they arrive with enough time, they will have the option to complete the Jefferson City Loop. Solar cars will not be permitted to continue to Independence until after 3:45pm.

  Expect to see most teams in the checkpoint during the last hour, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Solar cars will be on the road in the Jefferson City from around 1:00pm to 4:30pm.

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  Taos and Wardsville

  These cities are on the Jefferson City Loop. Not all teams will attempt the Jefferson City loop, but many likely will. Expect to see solar cars on the loop from around 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

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  Boonville

  Solar cars will pass right through Boonville on MO-87 and US-40. Not far after the Jefferson City checkpoint, solar cars will be relatively close to together in Boonville. Expect to see most solar cars between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on July 22nd. Some teams may choose to end their day in the Boonville area, in which case they will be back on the road at 9:00am on the 23rd.

  Arrow Rock

  Solar cars will pass by Historic Arrow Rock on MO-41. Expect to see most solar cars between 5:30pm and 6:00pm on July 22nd and 9:00am and 10:00am on July 23rd. Some teams will likely end their day in this area.

  Marshall

  Solar cars will pass through Marshall on MO-240 before turning on US-65. The leading solar cars may just make it into Marshall at the end of the day, around 6:00pm on July 22nd. They may end their day in the area. Most solar cars will pass through Marshall between 9:00am and 10:30am on July 23rd.

  Waverly

  Solar cars will be more spread out as they pass through Waverly on US-24. Expect to see most solar cars on the road in Waverly from 9:30am to 10:45am on July 23rd.

  Lexington

  Solar cars will pass by the outskirts of Lexington on US-24. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:45am and 11:00am.

  Independence

  Independence is the second checkpoint on Stage 2. Solar cars will stop at the Uptown Farmers Market. At this stop there is no optional loop, solar cars will be held for 45 minutes and then continue on the route to St. Joseph.

  The first car will likely arrive after 10:15am. There will likely be at least one solar car in the checkpoint from 10:15am to 2:15pm.

  Most solar cars will be on the road in the Independence area between 10:00am and 2:45pm.

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  Kansas City

  Solar cars will pass through Kansas City - entering on Independence Ave from the east and then taking MO-9 across the river and out of the city. They will be fairly spread out by this point. Expect to see solar cars on the road in Kansas City from 11:15am to 3:00pm.

  Parkville

  Solar cars will pass through downtown Parkville following the curve of MO-9. Solar cars will be fairly spread out, but most will likely pass through between 11:30am and 3:30pm.

  Weston

  Solar cars will pass on the outskirts of Weston on MO-45. Solar cars will be fairly spread out, but most will likely pass through between 12:00pm and 4:15pm.

  Saint Joseph

  Saint Joseph is the Stage Stop between Stages 2 and 3. Solar cars will stop at the Pony Express National Museum. The first solar car will likely arrive after 12:45pm and most, if not all, should be there by about 5:00pm. Teams who arrive with enough time will have the option to attempt the Saint Joseph loop, which will take them through more of Saint Joseph.

  Expect to see solar cars on the road in Saint Joseph from 12:30pm to 6:00pm on July 23rd.

  Stage 3 will start from Saint Joseph on July 24th. The first solar car will leave at 9:00am and then a car will be released every minute. Solar cars will again be on the roads in St. Joseph from 9:00am to 9:30am on the 24th.

• Solar cars will be in Kansas for the first ~100 miles of Stage 3 on July 24th. They will cross the Missouri River into Kansas from St. Joseph on US-36 and follow that to US-77 where they will head north to Nebraska.

  Elwood

  Elwood is the first city solar cars will pass through in Kansas. It is just shortly after the start of the stage, so solar cars will be fairly close together. Expect to see most solar cars between 9:00am and 9:30am.

  Hiawatha

  Solar cars will pass the outskirts of Hiawatha on US-36. They will still be fairly close together, expect to see most solar cars between 9:30am and 10:15am.

  Marysville

  Solar cars will start to be more spread out once they get to Marysville. The solar cars will enter Marysville on US-36 west and then turn north on US-77. Expect to see most solar cars between 10:45am and 1:00pm.

• Solar cars will be on the roads of Nebraska for all but the first ~100 miles of Stage 3 on July 24th-26th as well as part of Stage 4 on July 27th. They will stop at checkpoints in Beatrice and Kearney with the stage stop in Gering.

  Wymore & Blue Springs

  Solar cars will pass through Wymore and Blue Springs on US-77 on July 24th. The solar cars will be fairly spread out, expect to see most cars between 11:30am and 2:15pm.

  Beatrice

  Beatrice is the first checkpoint on Stage 3. Solar cars will stop at the Homestead National Historical Park Heritage Center. The first solar car will likely arrive after 11:45am on July 24th, most solar cars should arrive by 3:00pm. Upon arrival solar cars will be held for 45 minutes. They will not be allowed to continue on the route to Kearney until 3:30pm. Those that arrive early enough will have the option to complete the Beatrice Loop.

  Expect to see solar cars on the roads in Beatrice from 11:30am to 4:00pm.

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  Fairbury

  Solar cars will be fairly close together as the pass through Fairbury on US-136 as it is shortly after the Beatrice checkpoint. Expect to see most solar cars between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.

  Deshler

  Solar cars will turn off of US-136 onto NE-5 in Deshler. They will be starting to get more spread out, expect to see most solar cars between 4:30pm and 6:00pm on the 24th. Some teams may end their day in this area, in which case you will see them on the road at 9:00am on the 25th.

  Davenport

  Solar cars will pass through Davenport on NE-4. Expect to see most solar cars between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on July 24th and 9:00am and 10:00am on July 25th. Some teams will likely end their day in this area.

  Fairfield

  The route passes through Fairfield on NE-74. The leading solar cars will likely make it to Fairfield on July 24th between 5:30pm and 6:00pm and may end their day in the area. The remaining will pass through between 9:00am and 10:30am on July 25th.

  Hastings

  Solar cars will just pass through the south side of Hastings — entering on US-281 from the south and then turning onto US-34 to the west. If the conditions are good, the leading solar cars might just make it to Hastings by 6:00pm on the 24th. Expect most solar cars on the 25th between 9:00am and 11:30am.

  Minden

  Solar cars will turn from US-234 onto NE-10 north in Minden. Expect to see most solar cars on July 25th between 9:30am and 12:30pm.

  Kearney

  Kearney is the second checkpoint on Stage 3. Solar cars will stop at the Kearney Archway Monument. The first solar car will likely arrive after 10:15am with more solar cars arriving throughout the day. Most should arrive by 1:30pm. Solar cars will not be allowed to continue on the route to Gering until 2:15pm. Those teams arriving early enough will have the opportunity to attempt the Kearney loop for additional miles.

  Expect to see solar cars on the road in Kearney from 10:00am to 3:00pm on July 25th.

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  Lexington

  Solar cars will pass through Lexington on US-30, they will be fairly close together after departing the Kearney checkpoint. Expect to see most solar cars between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.

  Gothenburg

  Solar cars will pass through Gothenburg on US-30. Expect to see most solar cars between 3:30pm and 5:15pm.

  North Platte

  Solar cars will pass through North Platte on US-30. Expect to solar cars between 4:15pm and 6:00pm on July 25th. Some teams may end their day near North Platte, in which case they will be on the roads starting at 9:00am on July 26th.

  Ogallala

  Note: Timezone changes from Central to Mountain between North Platte and Ogallala, all times listed here all local. However, the event will operate on central time until Gering.

  The leading solar cars will likely get to Ogallala on US-30 starting at about 4:15pm until 5:00pm on July 25th. Many solar cars will likely end their day near or before Ogallala. The remaining cars will be on the roads in Ogallala between 8:00am and 10:30am on July 26th.

  Bridgeport

  Solar cars will make a zig-zag across the North Platte River and through Bridgeport to stay on US-26. Solar cars will be quite spread out by the time they get to Bridgeport, this is the longest stretch of the event between stops. Expect to see solar cars on the road between 9:15am and 2:00pm.

  Melbeta

  Solar cars will pass by Melbeta on US-26 on their way to Gering and on the Gering loop. Expect to see solar cars on the road from 9:45am until 5:00pm.

  Gering

  Gering is the stage stop between Stages 3 and 4. Solar cars will stop at Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center. The first solar car will likely arrive at 10:15am or later on July 26th. Most solar cars should arrive by 3:30pm. Solar car that arrive early enough will have the opportunity to attempt the Gering loop after the 45 minute hold time.

  Solar cars will be on the roads of Gering from about 10:00am to 5:00pm on July 26th.

  The final stage will also start from Gering on July 27th. Solar cars will depart starting at 8:00am.

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  Mitchell

  Solar cars will pass through Mitchell on US-26. They will be fairly close together as this is shortly after the stage start. Expect to see most solar cars between 8:15am and 8:45am on July 27th.

• Solar cars will be on the roads in Wyoming on Saturday July 27th. Coming from Gering, NE they will head to the Finish Line in Casper!

  Torrington

  Solar cars will pass through Torrington on US-26, they will still be fairly close together. Expect to see most solar cars between 8:30am and 9:30am.

  Guernsey

  Solar cars will pass through Guernsey on US-26. The field will start to spread out a bit by this point in the stage, expect to see most solar cars between 9:15am and 10:45am.

  Douglas

  Solar cars will pass right through Douglas and will be more spread out by this point. Expect to see the cars on the roads in Douglas between 10:30am and 1:00pm.

  Glenrock

  Solar cars will pass through Glenrock where they will turn on US-87 west towards Casper. They will be fairly spread out, expect to see most solar cars between 11:15am and 2:30pm.

  Casper

  Casper is the Finish Line of the Electrek American Solar Challenge 2024! Once the solar cars arrive to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, they will be on display for the remainder of the afternoon. The first solar car will likely arrive to the finish around 12:00pm, with most cars arriving by 3:00pm.