Road trip! See April's total solar eclipse from one of these awesome North American routes

If you’re after a unique way to experience the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, then consider a road trip.

On that day, a path of totality 115 miles wide (185 kilometers) will stretch across parts of three Mexican states, 15 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. Only within this path will people experience darkness in the middle of the day and will be able to see the sun’s corona.

It will be an exciting space event not to be missed but it’s also an excellent opportunity to explore. Whether you’re a stargazer, history buff, or space enthusiast, here are six road trip options to make the total solar eclipse a memorable experience.

1. Stargazing in Arkansas and Missouri

A map showing light pollution and Dark Sky Parks inside the path of totality.

Light pollution and Dark Sky Parks inside the path of totality. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

Stargazing in Arkansas and Missouri

Duration: 7 days

Start and finish: Little Rock, Arkansas

Recommended eclipse viewing location: somewhere rural

Not all eclipse-chasers are stargazers, but if you fall into both camps, consider visiting some of the dark spots within the path of totality. Five regions with excellent dark skies within the path are Texas Hill Country, the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, southeast Missouri, northeast New York and northern Maine.

Campgrounds in two Dark Sky Parks of Texas — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and South Llano River State Park — are booked up while clouds are likely in the northeast, so destinations that make the most sense are Missouri and Arkansas. Try the Mark Twain National Forest on the northern limit or Rocky Creek Conservation Area in Missouri. In Arkansas, the Ozark Francis National Forest, Buffalo National River and Ouachita National Forest are dark — and likely away from crowds. As a bonus, you’ll also get a dark sky during totality.

2. The Dark Side of the Wabash

image of a body of water and a faint sunset in the distance.

Vincennes is on the centerline of the path of totality. (Image credit: Tom Bartholomew/www.bartholomewweddings.com )

The Dark Side of the Wabash

Duration: 4 days

Start and finish: Indianapolis, Indiana

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Vincennes, Indiana

The Wabash River is the state line between southern Indiana and southern Illinois. It also cuts through the path of totality on April 8.

A focal point for exploring the area and for watching the eclipse has to be historic Vincennes on the centerline of the path of totality, where a documentary on the eclipse is being filmed. The Dark Side of the Wabash is a four-day festival of science, arts and music events on the Rendezvous Grounds (site of an annual Revolutionary War reenactment), the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Historic Riverfront Pavilion and Main Street. Expect floating parades on the Wabash River, Think Floyd (a Pink Floyd Tribute Band) and musicians all playing “The Final Countdown” on eclipse day. You’ll also get over 4 minutes of totality.

On either side of the eclipse, you could brush up on the story of the 1806 total solar eclipse, visit the historic former utopian colony New Harmony, see the Sugar Loaf Mound and Pyramid Mound and explore the large Amish communities nearby, particularly in Loogootee.

3. Skiing and stargazing in Quebec

Milky Way Galaxy Core Stretching over Lac Megantic

Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve is in the path of totality. (Image credit: Cavan Images via Getty Images)

Skiing and stargazing in Quebec

Duration: 7 days

Start and finish: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Recommended eclipse viewing location: ASTROLab, Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve

Though its vast Parc Jean-Drapeau will get over a minute of totality and is planning a huge event, Montreal is on the northern edge of the path of totality, so not ideally placed for observing the eclipse.

However, it’s perfect as a hub for an itinerary, including skiing and stargazing in Quebec, which is getting organized for the eclipse. About 90 miles northwest of Montreal — outside the path of totality — in the Laurentian Mountains is Parc National du Mont-Tremblant, which was recently certified as Canada’s third International Dark Sky Park. Come back into the path to go skiing at Quebec’s Mont-Orford Ski Resort or Mont Sutton before heading to the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve to stargaze and observe the eclipse at ASTROLab, the astronomy capital of Quebec.

4. Space exploration

map of North America showing the crewed spacecraft in the path of totality.

Crewed spacecraft in the path of totality. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

Space exploration

Duration: 5 days

Start and finish: Cincinnati to Cleveland, Ohio

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland

According to eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler at GreatAmericanEclispe.com, there are five NASA spacecraft in museums within the path of totality. It’s not practical to visit all of them in one road trip, but four reside in Indiana and Ohio.

Where you begin and end is up to you — everything here is in the path — but be sure to see Gemini 3 at the Grissom Memorial of Spring Mill State Park near Mitchell, Indiana, the Apollo 15 Command Module at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, Gemini 8 at the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum, Wapakoneta, Ohio, and the Great Lakes Science Center, home to both the Skylab 3 space capsule and, on April 8, Total Eclipse Fest 2024.

5. Houston, We Have A Problem

Russ Bailey walks past the command module of the Saturn V rocket in Rocket Park during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston on Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Houston.

A Saturn V rocket at Rocket Park, Space Center Houston. (Image credit: Brett Comer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

Houston, We Have A Problem

Duration: 7 days

Start and finish: Houston, Texas

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Corsicana, Mexia or Ennis

Another space-themed road trip around the eclipse could hang on a visit to Space Center Houston to see Mission Control, Rocket Park (home to a Saturn V rocket) and the Apollo 17 command module. Then, take a trip to the path of totality. Don’t make the mistake of taking Interstate 10 west to join the crowds headed into the Texas Hill Country from San Antonio. Instead, consider going north on Interstate 45 towards Dallas and experiencing totality at Corsicana, Mexia or Ennis.

Waco’s massive Eclipse Over Texas 2024 observing event could also be an option. After the eclipse, head east from the path, avoiding traffic to/from Houston and Dallas to visit Lufkin in Texas Forest Country and explore the huge Lake Sam Rayburn.

6. Mexico by bus

view of hotels long Playa Olas Atlas and Old Mazatlan, Mexico.

Mazatlán can be reached by bus from Mexico City. (Image credit: Walter Bibikow via Getty Images)

Mexico by bus

Duration: 7 days

Start and finish: Mexico City, Mexico

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Mazatlán Malecon

Eclispe-chasers who plan their trips years in advance have long known that the highest chance of clear sky on April 8 is in north-central Mexico, especially the cities of Mazatlán, Durango and Torreón.

Organized tours have long sold out, and getting a flight into any of those cities is very expensive. So take the bus! Buses in Mexico are nothing like those in the U.S. or Europe. They have comfortable, business-class-style seats and free food. Consider flying to Mexico City — something that can be done cheaply — and taking an overnight bus to your destination for about $70 to $110. Find your bus on busbud.

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