American Solar Challenge Route and Schedule

American Solar Challenge 2024 route map with dates and locations as the route follows along portions of seven national historic trails and Route 66.

 

From July 20th - July 27th, 2024, collegiate solar car teams will compete in the American Solar Challenge at sites along seven national historic trails. At each of the places listed below, you will be able to take a close look at the cars, talk with the design and build teams, and learn about solar technology and national historic trails all in one place!

Qualified teams will make daily stops in communities and national parks along the route. Come see the cars, discover solar technology, and see America!

Please note that many of the times listed are approximate. The exact arrival times of the solar cars depends on traffic, weather, and energy management decisions made by each of the teams.

All information is in local time.

• Stage 1:
  • July 20th – 9am Start: Adventure Science Center; Nashville, TN
  • July 20th – 12:15-4:15pm Checkpoint: Downtown Paducah Farmers Market; Paducah, KY
  • July 21st – 10:45am-6pm Finish: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Edwardsville, IL (more location details to come)
• Stage 2:
  • July 22nd – 9am Start: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Edwardsville, IL
  • July 22nd – 12:15-4pm Checkpoint: Missouri State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO
  • July 23rd – 9:15am-2:15pm Checkpoint: Uptown Farmers Market; Independence, MO
  • July 23rd – 11:45am-6pm Finish: Pony Express National Museum; St. Joseph, MO
• Stage 3:
  • July 24th – 9am Start: Pony Express National Museum; St. Joseph, MO
  • July 24th – 11:15am-3pm Checkpoint: Homestead National Historical Park; Beatrice, NE
  • July 25th – 9:15am-2:30pm Checkpoint: Kearney Archway; Kearney, NE
  • July 26th – 8:30am-5pm Finish: Scotts Bluff National Monument; Gering, NE
• Stage 4:
  • July 27th – 8am Start: Scotts Bluff National Monument; Gering, NE
  • July 27th – 11:15am-4pm Finish Line: National Historic Trails Interpretive Center; Casper, WY

All Times Local (Central Time for Nashville to Kearney. Mountain Time for Gering to Casper)

 

 

Trail Sites Near the Route of the ASC 2024

The American Solar Challenge is following the routes of seven national historic trails and Route 66 - in other words, following the solar cars is a great way to see America!

Not all checkpoints and stage stops are at trail sites, but here is a list of national historic trail sites or national parks to visit along the way! These sites are spread out around the ASC on multiple trails, so check each location with your travel route. These are only a FEW examples of sites along the national historic trails.

Check out the National Park Service mobile app to find other national historic trail sites along the route!

 

Nashville, Tennessee

• July 19th – 10:00am-4:00pm Display Day: Adventure Science Center; Nashville, TN
• July 20th – 9am Start: Adventure Science Center; Nashville, TN
• The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail passes by Nashville.

 

 

Paducah, Kentucky

• July 20th – 12:15-4:15pm Checkpoint: Downtown Paducah Farmers Market; Paducah, KY
• The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail passes by Paducah.

 

 

Edwardsville, Illinois

• July 21st – 10:45am-6pm Finish: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Edwardsville, IL
  • Solar Cars will be on-site until 8pm for evening charging
• July 22nd – 9am Start: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Edwardsville, IL
• Route 66 passes through Edwardsville.

 

 

Jefferson City, Missouri

• July 22nd – 12:15-4pm Checkpoint: Missouri State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail passes by Jefferson City.

 

 

Independence, Missouri

• July 23rd - 9:15am-2:15pm Checkpoint: Uptown Farmers Market
• The Oregon, California, and Santa Fe national historic trails all begin or pass through Independence.

 

 

St. Joseph, Missouri

• July 23rd – 11:45am-6pm Finish: Pony Express National Museum; St. Joseph, MO
  • Solar Cars will be on-site until 8pm for evening charging
• July 24th – 9am Start: Pony Express National Museum; St. Joseph, MO
• The Pony Express and California National Historic Trails pass through St. Joseph.

 

 

Beatrice, Nebraska

• July 24th – 11:15am-3pm Checkpoint: Homestead National Historical Park; Beatrice, NE
• Pony Express, Oregon, and California National Historic Trails pass to the south of Beatrice.

 

 

Kearny, Nebraska

• July 25th – 9:15am-2:30pm Checkpoint: Kearney Archway; Kearney, NE
• The Mormon Pioneer, Pony Express, Oregon, and California National Historic Trails pass through and near Kearny.

 

 

 

 

Gering, Nebraska

• July 26th – 8:30am-5pm Finish: Scotts Bluff National Monument; Gering, NE
  • Solar Cars will be on-site until 8pm for evening charging
• July 27th – 8am Start: Scotts Bluff National Monument; Gering, NE
• The Oregon, California, Pony Express, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails passed through and around Gering.

 

 

Casper, Wyoming

• July 27th – 11:15am-4pm Finish Line: National Historic Trails Interpretive Center; Casper, WY
  • Solar Cars will be on display all afternoon
• The Oregon, California, Pony Express, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails passed through and around Casper.