Dallas, Indianapolis and Cleveland have emerged in new data from Priceline as unlikely cities with the lowest prices around April 8—the date of the longest total solar eclipse in the U.S. since 1806 and the last until 2033 in Alaska.
On that date, the moon will block the sun for up to 4 minutes and 26 seconds, but only from within a 115-mile-wide path of totality that stretches through northern Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. It passes through parts of 15 U.S. states.
Up to 50 million—and certainly 32 million— people in the U.S. will experience totality on April 8. Experts predict that it will be like 50 Super Bowls happening at the same time, with associated traffic snarls and potential chaos.
Unusually, for a total solar eclipse, some huge cities will experience totality—darkness in the day and a fleeting chance to see the sun’s spiky white corona with the naked eye. The latter is rated by many as one of nature’s most beautiful and rarest sites.
Here’s the latest of where’s popular—and where you should go for April 8 to grab a bargain:
The path of totality on April 8, 2024.
Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com
Texas Is The ‘It’ State
Since it’s more likely to have clear skies in April, much of the attention has been on Texas, with its Hill Country area set to host dozens of festivals and viewing events, and where properties have been selling for thousands of dollars per night.
About 12 million people in Texas live inside the total solar eclipse path. Three of the biggest cities in Texas are in the path—Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin. The figures reveal that while San Antonio and, to some extent, Austin, are among the most expensive cities in the entire path to book flights, hotels, and a rental car, Dallas is one of the most affordable.
Hill Country Is The Focus
San Antonio and Austin are proving most popular primarily because they are close to the Texas Hill Country, not because they are the perfect eclipse-watching destinations. After all, both cities are sliced in two by the edge of the path of totality—but San Antonio, in particular, where only the city’s northwestern suburbs are within the path of totality.
“Many millions of people in the U.S. live on or near the edge of the path of totality—in places like Columbus, Memphis and Shreveport, but San Antonio is the poster child for cities on the edge,” said Dan McGlaun in an interview, an expert at Eclipse 2024, which has an interactive map and eclipse simulator that simulates precisely what will be seen from thousands of communities in North America.
Midwest To The Great Lakes
Many miles northeast of Texas, the path of totality surges across the Midwest and then Lake Erie, bringing totality to the likes of Niagara, Buffalo, and Rochester in Upstate New York. This is where many thousands from major East Coast cities and metropolitan areas will drive to for April 8. The research highlights that Buffalo, New York, is the most expensive to fly to, while Cleveland and Indianapolis are the most affordable. The research found over 8,000% more searches for flights to Buffalo hotels and 2,000% more for Indianapolis hotels compared to the same period in 2023.
Close To The Path
By far the least costly option appears to be to stay just outside the path of totality and drive into either on the day, or during the day before. For example, Shreveport, Louisiana, is not in the path of totality. Still, it’s only 60 miles from the edge of the path of totality and only 140 miles from the centerline at Sulphur Springs, Texas, where the duration is 4 minutes and 20 seconds. According to Priceline, accommodation in Shreveport costs an average of only $122 per night.
Eclipse-chasers who stay outside of the path must move on the day or risk seeing a mere partial solar eclipse.
Eclipse Road Trips
Priceline’s research also underscores a surge in demand for rental cars, especially in cities with higher daily rates, which suggests that many eclipse enthusiasts might be planning road trips. “There’s a noticeable trend of increased rental car demand in eclipse viewing areas, with a 1500% increase in searches for rental cars in Cleveland, highlighting the preference for road travel to view the eclipse,” states Priceline research.
Economic Opportunities
This total solar eclipse will present economic opportunities for varied destinations. “Cities like Dallas and Indianapolis, with relatively lower costs, might emerge as popular alternatives for eclipse watchers, indicating an opportunity for these cities to attract tourists priced out of more expensive locations,” states Priceline research.
I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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