How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 in the United States: Where, When, and How

Mark Your Calendars for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 in the US

When and Where to See It?

The last chance to witness a total solar eclipse over much of the US in decades is coming up on April 8, 2024. The celestial event is expected to draw an influx of tourists to the 185-kilometer wide trajectory that will cross over northern Mexico, 13 US states and eastern Canada.

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While the event is still 10 months away, it is never too early to start planning.

Study the Path of the Eclipse

Unfortunately, April typically does not offer favorable weather conditions for viewing eclipses in the US. The best option for a clear view is actually in Mexico, where the path lands near Mazatlán on the Pacific coast. This is according to Jay Anderson, a retired Canadian meteorologist and amateur astronomer who created the Eclipsophile website.

Texas also offers some good options, though not as favorable as Mexico. The path begins in Texas, moves through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It is important to note that there is a higher chance of cloudiness near the Canadian border, so viewers should be strategic in location selection.

“The city that I’ve identified as most likely to have good skies is Junction, Texas, which sits a little bit off the eclipse path in the Texas Hill Country,” Anderson recommends. While Junction sits in one of the areas with the highest statistical chance of clear skies, it still only has a 55% chance of clear skies on the day of the eclipse. So it is not a guarantee.

In comparison, some parts of Mexico along the route historically see 30% average cloudiness, whereas Junction falls in the 40% range and San Antonio hovers around 60%. But Anderson stresses that while the weather can be predicted somewhat, there are no guarantees.

How Far Will You Go to Witness the Total Solar Eclipse in 2024?

Are you willing to travel for eight hours and take a day or two off from work? The total solar eclipse will occur on a Monday, but be aware that traffic late in the day can be heavy. Will you be willing to change plans at the last minute if the weather looks better elsewhere?

Some eclipse viewers will go to great lengths to witness the rare astronomical event. For instance, many Europeans who belong to an eclipse message group on social media are planning to travel to Texas to see the 2024 phenomenon.

Eclipse chasing is a dynamic activity. Several travelers reserve motel rooms in numerous locations along the route, so if the weather conditions change just before the eclipse, they have the flexibility to choose the place with the best visibility. However, unpredictable weather in April can pose a visibility challenge.

Book Accommodation Early

According to Dave Clark, the owner of NationalEclipse.com, the most crucial investment for an extended trip like this is to book accommodation early. As the event approaches, the rooms’ availability is declining, and the prices are increasing as hotels understand the magnitude of the tourist rush.

For example, Booking.com’s search results revealed that 87% of the accommodations in Russellville, Arkansas, with roughly 30,000 residents, were fully booked for April 7 to 9, 2024, and just two hotels – Motel 6 and American Inn & Suites – still had rooms available for a staggering $500 and $699 per night, respectively.

However, in more populous cities, availability and rates can be more flexible. Surprisingly, vacation rentals are also a viable option. Some Airbnb rentals are already priced at $1000+ per night, while other owners have not yet raised their rates.

In Waco, Texas, a festival that includes astronomers and tickets is held to commemorate the eclipse. According to the Waco Convention Center & Visitors Bureau’s deputy director of tourism, Carla Pendergraft, very few hotels remain available at this time. Nonetheless, additional rooms might become available, given that some hotels haven’t posted their booking schedules yet.

Delay Airline Ticket Purchases

While booking accommodations is a priority, purchasing airline tickets early is not necessary, said Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com. There is such a thing as purchasing tickets too soon. As a result, planning to buy an airline ticket for the total solar eclipse too early could be disadvantageous.

Since the event stretches over 13 states, and parts of Mexico and Canada, there are ample flying options available. Keyes believes this wide coverage will limit airline ticket prices’ inflation.

The “Goldilocks window,” or the right timeframe, is generally one to three months before the low season’s domestic flight, such as April. In short, Scott recommends making bookings between January and March. If the media focuses on the total solar eclipse, good deals might become available earlier in December.

One of the advantages of air travel post-pandemic is that most US airlines offer penalty-free modifications for most ticket classes. Consequently, if the weather appears bad, travelers can cancel their original flight and book a new one without penalty fees. Passengers only need to pay the fare difference.

Although travellers might be tempted to buy multiple airline tickets, most credits last a year. However, if you have frequent flyer miles, you can comfortably cancel unwanted trips, and the miles will be credited back to your account.

Flexibility of Driving

The flexibility of driving is invaluable when witnessing a total solar eclipse. In addition, you can carry your belongings and a sudden change in plans is more manageable. You also bypass the disadvantages of flying, such as long security check-in times, airline delays or cancellations, and lost luggage.

Planning for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024

Driving to a Good Location Can Give You Flexibility

Choose Between Festival Fun or a Private Getaway in the Field

Peter Pendergraft, from the Waco tourism office, advises considering your ideal experience for the eclipse. Do you want to be a part of a large community or have more of a private experience in a stand-alone motorhome in a field? Resources like NationalEclipse.com can provide links to festivals, campouts, and other events.

Expect Traffic Jams and Choose an Adequately Serviced City

With huge crowds expected, choose a location with traffic control and good services. According to Michael Clark, traffic was a headache in the 2017 total solar eclipse, and it is sure to return in 2024. Clark recommends staying within the path of the eclipse to avoid heavy traffic and remaining one more day after the eclipse to be safe.

Savor the Experience; It’s Worth the Trip

Ultimately, the decision of where to go and how to get there ultimately depends on the traveler’s flexibility and availability. As Robert Anderson said, “They are worth seeing. It’s worth the trip.”