As we approach the 2024 total solar eclipse, we’re seeing a lot of people asking about travel and solar eclipse logistics. Whether it be making a flight on eclipse day post eclipse or how long to drive home, there are many considerations that we will discuss here. Using our 2017 solar eclipse viewing experiences, we will help you understand the key logistical challenges and information to make your best decision.

Bonus tip: If you’re still on the fence about going, do it!! Unless you can’t financially afford it or are unable to go due to work, family, or other reasons, it’s worth going! It’s a life changing event! Even 2 or 3 minutes of totality is worth it! Any time in totality is better than a partial eclipse!!

1. Always backup plans and backup sites. For certain things such as a broken car or bigger things that go wrong, there isn’t necessarily a way to fix that, but be prepared in the event that the sky is cloudy and you need a new spot, or other things you can fix do arise. Don’t make yourself crazy but have plans in the event that plans change!
2. Travel logistics: give yourself time to get to the airport and drive home. Give yourself several times longer than you think is the normal drive time when heading from the eclipse! Everyone has the opportunity to head to the eclipse sites and prepare days before the eclipse. Therefore, it is recommended to clear your schedule after the eclipse and take your time heading home. An example of this is to not schedule a flight that day, unless you can afford to miss it in the event you do.
3. Get to your location early and the drive to your location will probably be shorter than the drive home. People will want the best spots and have been preparing for months or years for the eclipse.
4. Before leaving your home or base of operations and head to your viewing area, you MUST make sure to check and double check you have everything. For an event of this importance, you don’t want to forget anything, especially like eclipse glasses! The best way to do this is to utilize a list, and check off everything as you add and also verify it’s there.
5. In regards to viewing the eclipse, make sure to get reputable glasses and don’t liter! Ensuring proper eyewear helps you ensure you keep your vision and not littering ensures amateur astronomy and space events don’t get a bad reputation. What this means is that someone won’t rent their land or agencies won’t allow viewing of future events like this if some ruin it for everyone!

Let us know in the comments if there’s anything we missed or would like to add! Make sure to check out our other 2024 solar eclipse resources and other articles! We’re on social media as well, so give us a like and follow there!