On April 8, a total solar eclipse will obscure the sun for approximately 4,200 miles from Mexico to Canada. This space show will not be seen again in many parts of North America for about 20 years. Many people had been planning their viewing for quite some time.
And then there are the procrastinators who realize they are about to miss out on an opportunity. If that's you, you still have options, but not many.
“The goal right now is just to get on the path to totality and see the eclipse for as long as possible,” said Melanie Fish, global communications director for Expedia Group Brands. “You're not trying to find the best party. You're not trying to make your dream vacation come true. You just want to reach your path to wholeness.”
First, get some solar eclipse glasses so you can observe safely. Then find a way to enter the path of totality. This trail spans 13 states where the moon completely covers the sun. Be prepared to pay extra because you'll be competing with people who are already experiencing a surge in demand for flights and accommodation.
And if possible, take the next day off as well. Otherwise, you might end up spending hours stuck in traffic, as many found out after the 2017 solar eclipse.
Here are four strategies for making a last-minute foray into the total solar eclipse zone.
drive into the darkness
If you have wheels and live within a few hours of the path of the total solar eclipse, you can always hop in your car. You can also find cheaper accommodation just outside the zone and drive there from there.
However, if you are thinking of renting a car, you may have a little problem.
Rental car company Hertz reported a 3,000 percent increase in pre-bookings for rental cars in cities along the eclipse's path compared to the previous year. So far, the highest demand has been in Texas cities such as Dallas and Austin, as well as Cleveland and Indianapolis.
If you want to try it anyway, Hertz spokeswoman Isabella Sawyer advises booking a car as soon as possible and focusing your search on rental car companies outside of high-traffic areas such as airports. Nearby locations may be more accessible, she said.
Whether you rent or own a vehicle, be prepared for traffic. “Everyone's arrival time is different, but everyone's departure time is the same, and that's the problem,” said Aisha Diaz, a spokeswoman for AAA. “Suppose there are about 5 million people watching the eclipse, and they all leave at the same time. That's the equivalent of 71 packed soccer games ending at the same time.”
An extra day off could help you avoid traffic jams. Data from the 2017 total solar eclipse, which also occurred on Monday, showed about 41 percent less traffic leaving destinations on Tuesday compared to Monday, Diaz said.
jump into the zone
You can also book a last-minute flight to a city in the direction of the total solar eclipse, preferably one where you don't need a car. Going.com spokeswoman Katie Nastro said searches for flights along the eclipse's path have quadrupled compared to the same time last year.
“What's unique about this event is that people don't have to fly to just one location to experience the eclipse,” she said. “That means you can see multiple cities on your route, or even cities near your route,” she enters, and when you find a rental car at your destination, you get on that road.
“For example, you could fly into Toronto, stay there, then drive to the border and see the eclipse from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, which is only a two-and-a-half hour drive,” Nastro said. says. (As of Wednesday, there were still rental cars available at Toronto's main airport, starting at about $40 a day.)
go to where the hotel is
The trail traverses not only small towns but also many hotel-heavy urban areas from Texas to the Midwest and upstate New York, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, New York, and Montreal. doing.
But even in cities with more availability, you're still likely to have to pay a premium.
“I saw a two-star apartment hotel in Nashville for sale for a total of $900,” Fish said of one of her accommodation finds. (several hours drive from the route). 8th Street in Indianapolis sells for $500 on the night of the solar eclipse. So if you book last minute to see the eclipse, you'll obviously pay more. ”
Fish said packaging flights and accommodation through a travel booking app could save you not only headaches but also money. However, remember that you may need some form of ground transportation. So look for packages that include it.
If you are planning to travel to an area with few hotels, consider short-term property rentals. As of March 20, Airbnb, which saw a 1,000 percent increase in searches along the path of the total solar eclipse, still had about 40 percent of its inventory available in that zone, according to Airbnb spokesperson Haven Thorne. It is said that
Be aware of the weather and be flexible
Clouds are the eclipse chaser's enemy. You can choose a location with the best chance of sunshine and diligently check the weather forecast, but the weather is fickle. If you drive, be prepared to take a last-minute detour. And when the big moment approaches, park safely in a park or parking lot instead of on the side of the road, turn off your car's engine, and prepare to be blinded.
Even if you decide not to go anywhere, you may be able to break out those glasses and feel the changes in your environment that come with it. Many major cities will continue to see a partial solar eclipse, with Chicago at 94%, New York at 90%, Atlanta at 82%, and Los Angeles at 49%.
Mr. Fish from Expedia said: “The party is in the sky, so all you have to do is look up.”
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