Close to 4 Million Americans Will Travel To Capture the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 — Here Are the Best Cities To View It

Millions of Americans across the country will fall into darkness on April 8, 2024, during a total solar eclipse, and millions more will travel to see it.

While 31 million people currently live in the project path of the solar eclipse, which includes 12 states, between 1 to 4 million people are expected to make the journey from a city outside the eclipse path to come to see it.

Texas is expected to see the most visitors out of all the states experiencing the eclipse, as between 270,000 to 1.08 million people are expected to journey to the state’s cities, according to a press release from the Great American Eclipse.

One of the cities in Texas that is expected to see a large jump in visitors is Kerrville as it is very close to the center of the eclipse path, meaning visitors will get to experience the eclipse for a longer period (about 4 minutes and 25 seconds).

Uvalde, Eagle Pass, and Dallas are other cities where the eclipse will pass through but are expected to see fewer visitors.

Between 84,000 to 337,000 people are expected to visit Arkansas cities to view the eclipse. Russellville, Batesville, and Conway are some cities that line up closely with the eclipse’s main path. Still, the Great American Eclipse predicts that some people will likely camp in the Ouachita mountains which have the additional benefit of beautiful night skies.

In Missouri, about 43,000 to 172,000 visitors are expected to make the drive. Cape Girardeau and Perryville are anticipated to draw many people from the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Southern Illinois was a prime location for the 2017 solar eclipse, and now it will be again for 2024. With 68,500 to 274,000 people expected to travel from Illinois to view the eclipse, Carbondale is anticipated to be a popular spot again to watch it unfold.

Indianapolis and its surrounding suburbs are expected to get a huge uptick in visitors for the solar eclipse, with many travelers expected to come to the city from Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The Great American Eclipse noted that Vincennes, Indiana, may be a great spot that will avoid traffic. Bloomington and New Castle will also be right along the center of the eclipse’s path.

As for Ohio and Michigan, Columbus and Detroit are just outside the area of totality, likely leading to thousands leaving and heading elsewhere. Wapakoneta, Norwalk, and Cleveland will be right in the middle of the eclipse’s path in Ohio, however, the Great American Eclipse said to keep in mind that Interstate 90 is anticipated to be flooded with traffic.

The top left corner of Pennsylvania will get to experience the eclipse, with Erie being the best spot for many from the state, as well as Maryland, Delaware, and eastern Virginia to journey to. 

In New York, large eclipse viewing parties have already been planned for Buffalo and Rochester who sit right in the area of totality. Other great spots in the state include Dunkirk, Watertown, and Plattsburgh.

Burlington, Vermont is set up for a good spot to see the eclipse, with it expected to last about 3 minutes and 15 seconds there. The Canadian border is expected to draw a lot of visitors as well from Vermont and New Hampshire.

The final stage in the eclipse’s path is Maine, and the city of Houlton has already begun planning a large viewing party.

However, for all of the cities listed above, viewing the eclipse is largely dependent on weather. If clouds are anticipated, travelers may change their plans and head to a city that may not be dark for long but has a better viewing experience.