GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Take the "MAP" claiming Waco will be the ONLY place with clear weather & burn it....NOAA & other long term weather facilities can only guess what the weather will be 2 months out...It would be great to set up in your yard, but if you're outside of where you want to be, look at a nearby state or national park that is inside the total eclipse area. Also, hotel rooms in Waco have been sold out for several months & were going for over $1200 a night. (I know as I tried to book a room the day they opened up online. (I got a place in College Park, Tx an hours east). Then I decided to "roll the dice" cancelled Texas & booked a flight to Boston where my wife has always wanted to visit. April 8th, we'll drive to Vermont & see what happens

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Figure out what to do rather soon. Chances are, many things are booked up.
Try to be resourceful. Google a map of where you want to be. See if there is a camp site nearby. Reserve a car as soon as you can if you need one.
For the 2017 eclipse, I found blueberry farm that opened up for campers. I reserved a spot. Rented a car and drove 100 miles from my sisters. Slept in the car in 99% humidity, mosquitos the size of helicopters biting me all night. After observing the total eclipse in the last place in the states before it hit the ocean, I said it was all well worth it.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Actually, the map showed everything south of Dallas to be "likely clear." Parts above that were "maybes," and where I had intended to go were "likely cloudy." The advantage to going "home" was it's free!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I do "camp" in the back seat of my truck frequently, so as long as I have a place to park, I'm good!

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

This far out, all they can go on is past conditions. Just because someplace has been cloudy (or sunny) on those dates in years past doesn't mean that will hold true every year. If I were you, I would still make plans as if you were going and then keep an eye out for conditions as the date draws near. Since you have the option to camp out of the back of your truck, you don't need to worry about being tied down with motel reservations. You can adjust on the fly if you so desire.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Driving 1700 miles is never simple, or cheap. If I could afford to do the same, I'd drive to Texas and stay with my cousin in Austin.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Welcome to eclipse hunter's dilemma! The answer is - there is no truly 100% correct answer!!! No matter how well one plans, that cloud that drifts in for the time of totality cannot actually be planned for. I know because I have been there. Out of three total eclipses I have gone to, the longest one for my lifetime was clouded out. And some times it is a random decision that will "kill" it for you.

The only thing you can do is plan the best you can and hope for the best. Decide on how much money you want to spend on this adventure as a start. And realize that although the weather is predicted to be better in Texas, the key word is "predicted". Global warming has caused the jet streams to go further north (~80°F Anchorage, AK warmer than freezing Denver, CO on the same day) and south (a 65°F high while cruising just below Cuba and Haiti; the pool was nearly empty) and very unpredictable. These weather predictions are based off of history, not April 8, 2024. And that history is now less accurate due to the more wobbly jet stream.

The best way to plan for all this is to either stay in one place (Indiana) and drive to a nearby possible clear spot or go to a mid point outside of the totality path between Indiana and Texas and drive to a clear spot after seeing how the weather patterns develop on the news stations. And there will still be no garenttees that the whole totality path will not be covered with clouds.

But remember, if you don't try to see it, you will never see it. It is always worth the try, even if you are clouded out.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

That's sort of where I'm at right now. Wish I had a partner on crime!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

If I were in Indiana I wouldn't be having this dilemma! I really do want to experience it and maybe get some pictures!

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

The day before the 2017 Great American Eclipse we were in Victor Idaho and the skies were so smoke filled, you couldn't see the sun very well, however the day of the eclipse was awesome and we had a huge crowd, which is another reason to attend. I still hope you go, so you can give us some cool photos.

soxfan941 Loc: Lakewood Ranch, FL

Don't give up!
Google, Best location in Illinois to photograph an eclipse?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks. I don't know about pictures. I'll try. But I do want the experience.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I flew across country. Rented a car, Drove 100 miles each way twice, once to check out the location. slept in the car and got bitten by huge mosquitos.
The day of the eclipse it was cloudy, thunder storms off in the distance. 15 minutes before the eclipse the skies parted and I observed the most spectacular event in my life. Shortly after, it rained.
Just saying…

dougsmithsatx Loc: San Antonio TX

I'm guessing by the Az in your name, you're located in Arizona. Probably best bet would be check on hotels in San Antonio or Austin (shouldn't be a problem getting a reasonable priced room). They are both on the eastern edge of the totality line, but you can easily head west on IH-10 for about an hour or so (Kerrville is close to the center line). There are countless spots you can park and observe the event. Starts about noon & ends about 4 pm. In the Kerrville area, a museum has a Stone Henge replica in a nearby field ... that would make for an interesting spot to view the event (might be a bit crowded there, however!)