Are you in or close to the 'path of totality' for the April 8th eclipse? Are you traveling to see it?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (36489)
March 29, 2024 4:57pm CST
I am not far from the path of totality. About 60 miles, I will see a partial eclipse here but not total. I am also linked to several main highways and interstates that people will be driving to reach the destination they chose. The traffic was really terrible the last time we had an eclipse, and people are now urged to get their errands done, have ample foods, etc. so that they do not have to travel to get anything and add to the traffic woes, if they are not going to the eclipse.
Towns and cities in Illinois appear to be capitalizing on this with festivals, people renting actual rooms in their homes, people having land renting it for camper/tent camping for the eclipse, and it goes on and on. Hotel rooms in tiny towns that usually have rooms for about $60-$70 per night are suddenly all booked up for hundreds of dollars each. We have a friend who runs a fairly large truck stop, with a McDonald's, gas station, deli, grocery, and semi parking, right off of I-57. He says they have so much stuff ordered that they have had to park several empty semi-trailers behind and close to the main building, so that they will all have something to cook, sell, and supply to the masses. The small towns that appear to be full of money making plans and celebrations in Illinois alone are towns that have never seen crowds like the ones they are going to get. I hope they really are ready.
Carbondale.
Makanda.
Alto Pass.
Fairfield.
Olney.
Golconda.
Effingham.
Mt. Vernon.
It's all starting to sound like a complete circus. Not to mention the State Police here are warning people that they could literally be caught at a standstill on any of the highways for hours due to congestion and possible breakdowns or accidents. The last eclipse here was quite the mess on the interstates, so they are trying to prepare.
I could drive to my good friend's house and stay with her and see it. It's 4.5 minutes long. I would have to fight the traffic both ways, and I just don't want to.
I know the path of totality is in many states as it passes through. People seem to be sort of going crazy, taking off from their jobs, and planning to travel. All I can say is, if you are planning on this, in any state, go prepared, keep your gas tank full, and don't plan on getting anywhere on time, it just doesn't sound like it's going to be a fun task to get there!
OH...almost forgot. Now we are hearing about warnings that scammers are selling fake 'eclipse' glasses that are supposed to be safe, and are not. Just one more thing to worry about. There always has to be scammers, it seems.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/heavy-traffic-across-illinois-for-total-solar-eclipse-illinois-department-of-transportation/3396043/
16 people like this
16 responses
@snowy22315 (179495)
• United States
30 Mar
Not here but my parents are directly in the path. I was going to go up there, but too many other expenses right now. Here I think it will be about 85 percent.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
I can definitely relate to the problem of just too many expenses. All of that time, effort, and money makes it just not worthwhile for me, either.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (50960)
• Canada
29 Mar
@MarieCoyle There are several businesses hosting viewing parties in the hamlets along the shores of Lake Erie which is in the path of the eclipse.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
@Juliaacv
I haven't been to Lake Erie in ages. That might be fun, if it's not too crowded.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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29 Mar
Many of the schools here are closing as well. There was some concern that the roads would be so congested it would be difficult to get the children to and from the schools.
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@LadyDuck (470492)
• Switzerland
31 Mar
@MarieCoyle They should all be put in jail, but not lazing inside a cell, working to maintain themselves.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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31 Mar
They truly are evil people to cause permanent eye damage just because they want to make a fast dollar.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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31 Mar
@LadyDuck
Or maybe the age old thing of an eye for an eye…if you purposely take away someone’s eyesight, then you have to donate your own eyes. Fair is fair.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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31 Mar
That's about like ours, Valerie. We are just going to stay home and see what we see right here.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
•
2 Apr
@just4him
It works for us at the present time, thank you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (338425)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Mar
@MarieCoyle It seems everyone in Perth and all its suburbs head out of town at Easter and our roads are blocked too but I'm sure they're not as bad as some of the big roads over there.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
@JudyEv
I have not had the pleasure of traveling to Australia, so I can't compare. At least the eclipse is the 8th, and not over Easter, that would truly be a nightmare!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
In order to get to most of the places we need to go, we have to use one of the interstates, usually the one that runs north/south. It's the one that gets most of the traffic anyway, as it runs the entire length of the state. So in events even similar to this, we try to avoid travel for a day or so if at all possible
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (165746)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Mar
I doubt I will be anywhere near the path of the eclipse. I will see what is going on the tv I think.
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@celticeagle (165746)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Mar
@MarieCoyle ......The last one lasted about ten minutes from beginning to end.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
And that’s perfectly fine. It’s over and done with in about 4.5 minutes!!
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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3 Apr
Judy, it's Monday, April 8th. Check online for a time to see if it is going to affect your area there.
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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31 Mar
We will see a good part of it where I am. Not total black-out like some, but enough.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105022)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Mar
We will be staying home for it and hoping we don't see any extra traffic on our back road
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
Hopefully no one will discover your little road and leave you in peace, Eva.
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@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
29 Mar
I will be driving North just over an hour. I don’t really expect massive amounts of traffic. Much will depend on how my husband’s recovery is going. We might just stay home.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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29 Mar
I think some people are planning on going a day or two early, to avoid traffic. Maybe where you are won’t be so bad, I hope you can go if he is able and you both want to.
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@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
30 Mar
@MarieCoyle Our area is not densely populated. I don’t plan to go to Miramichi, but to the park just south of the city. Kouchibouguac.
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@Deepizzaguy (101894)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Mar
I am not able to see the eclipse of on April 8.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
It's ok, you can probably see it online or on a news site.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (176200)
• United States
30 Mar
We are in the path of totality. It will be at 2 pm though. I would have to go out on the deck which would be difficult for me. If it were earlier, I could see it out of the front window.
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@LindaOHio (176200)
• United States
31 Mar
@MarieCoyle Yup. That always confused the wildlife.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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31 Mar
You will at least see that it gets dark outside, that's part of it.
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@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
Copied from a news site for you:
Which countries will see the eclipse?
The total solar eclipse will only be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico and Canada.15 hours ago
@MarieCoyle (36489)
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30 Mar
I have a friend who rented a big travel trailer to make the trip. He did find an open camping spot, but he is paying out the nose for it.
You're right, too much trouble. I'm staying home.
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