A total solar eclipse on April 8 will cover the Sun for about 4,200 miles from Mexico to Canada. This is a space show that much of North America won't see again for about 20 years. Many people made plans to see it in advance.
And then there are those who procrastinate because they realize they will soon miss the opportunity. If that's you, you still have options, but not as many.
“Your goal at this point is to get in the path of the total eclipse and see it for as long as possible,” said Melanie Fish, director of global communications for Expedia Group Brands. “It’s not about finding the best party. You're not trying to create your dream vacation. You just want to go the whole way.”
First, grab your eclipse glasses and watch them safely. Then find your way into the path of a total solar eclipse, a strip across 13 states where the moon can completely block the sun. Be prepared to pay more, as you'll be competing with those who already have a surge in demand for flights and accommodation.
And if possible, leave the next day too. Otherwise, you could spend hours stuck in traffic, as many people discovered after the 2017 eclipse.
Here are four strategies for making a last-minute foray into the eclipse area.
run towards the darkness
If you have access to wheels and live within a few hours of the path of the total eclipse, you can always hop in your car. You can also find relatively inexpensive accommodation just outside the district and then drive in from there.
But if you're trying to rent a car, you may run into problems.
Rental car company Hertz reported a 3,000% increase in pre-bookings for rental cars in cities along the eclipse's path compared to the previous year. Places with the highest demand so far include Dallas, Austin, Texas, Cleveland, and Indianapolis.
If you want to try it anyway, reserve the car as soon as possible and focus on searching for rental companies outside of populated areas, such as airports, advised Hertz spokeswoman Isabella Sawyer. She said nearby areas may have better availability.
Whether you rent or own a vehicle, be prepared for traffic. “The problem is that people arrive at different times, but they all leave at the same time,” said AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz. “Let’s say there are about 5 million people watching the eclipse and they all leave at the same time. “This is the equivalent of 71 sold-out football games ending at the same time.”
Taking an extra day off can help you avoid traffic jams. Data from the 2017 total solar eclipse, which also occurred on Monday, showed about 41% less traffic leaving destinations on Tuesday than on Monday, Mr. Diaz said.
Fly to the area
You can also book a last-minute flight to a city where the eclipse is taking place, preferably one that doesn't require a car. Going.com spokeswoman Katy Nastro said searches for flights along the eclipse's path have quadrupled compared to the same period last year.
“What’s unique about this event is that people don’t have to fly to just one place to experience the eclipse. This means you can see multiple cities on your route, or even cities near your route. ,” then, if you can find a rental car at your destination, drive that route.
“For example, you can fly into Toronto and then drive up to the border to see the eclipse at Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, which is a two-and-a-half hour drive away,” Mr. Nastro said. (As of Wednesday, rental cars were still available at Toronto's main airport, starting at about $40 per day.)
Go to where the hotel is
The path of totality traverses small towns as well as hotel-heavy urban areas, from Texas through the Midwest and upstate New York to Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, N.Y., and Montreal.
But even in cities with more available rooms, you'll likely have to pay a premium.
“I saw a two-star apartment hotel in Nashville going for $900 all in. Nashville is a two-hour drive from the eclipse path,” Fish said of one of the lodgings he found. On the night of the eclipse, $8 became $500 in Indianapolis. So, if you make a last-minute reservation to go see the eclipse, you will end up paying more.”
Packaged flights and accommodations in a travel booking app can save you money and headaches, Fish said. But don't forget that you may need some kind of ground transportation. Look for a package that includes this.
If you're planning to travel to an area with few hotels, consider renting a short-term property. As of March 20, Airbnb, which saw a 1,000% surge in searches during the eclipse, still had about 40% of inventory available in the area, according to Airbnb spokesperson Haven Thorn.
Check the weather and remain flexible.
Clouds are the eclipse chaser's enemy. I pick a place with the highest chance of clear skies and obsessively check the weather forecast, but the weather is unpredictable. If you're driving, be prepared to take a last-minute detour. And as the big moment approaches, pull over safely to a park or parking lot rather than the side of the road, turn off the car, and prepare to be dazzled.
Even if you decide not to go anywhere, you can break your glasses and feel the resulting change in your environment. Many major cities will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse. 94% of cases occur in Chicago, 90% in New York, 82% in Atlanta, and 49% in Los Angeles.
“The party is in the sky, all you have to do is look up,” said Expedia’s Fish.
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