As the April 8 total solar eclipse draws near, preparations are underway as millions of people plan to travel to witness this breathtaking celestial event. According to GreatAmericanEclipse.com, an estimated 931,000 to 3,725,000 people are expected to travel within the United States to view the eclipse. Among the cities bracing for a significant influx of visitors are Kerrville and Franklin in Texas, Carbondale in Illinois, and Erie in Pennsylvania, with each location projected to welcome as many as 200,000 eclipse enthusiasts.

Kerrville and Franklin, in particular, are poised to see a staggering number of visitors, potentially exceeding 400,000 individuals. Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler, who has been mapping eclipses since 2009, emphasized that several metropolises located within 100 miles of the eclipse path will likely experience heavy traffic on the day of the event.

However, Kerrville is not the only Texas city anticipating a surge in visitors. The Lone Star State is expected to attract over a million people from across the country to witness the eclipse, with an estimated 12 million individuals residing within the eclipse path. Zeiler explains that approximately 10% of those 12 million people may have houseguests, resulting in an additional 1.2 million individuals traveling to the area.

Zeiler determines the likely travel patterns by making a couple of basic assumptions. The first assumption is that most people will opt to travel the shortest distance to reach the path of totality, where the sun will be completely obscured. For instance, individuals residing in San Antonio, which is on the edge of the eclipse path, are more inclined to travel to Kerrville rather than Fredericksburg. The second assumption is that those living nearby are more likely to make the journey than those who are farther away. Therefore, people in Houston are more likely to travel for the eclipse compared to those in New Orleans.

These estimates align with the warnings issued by experts over the past year. The Texas Department of Transportation has cautioned that certain rural areas may experience a staggering 200% increase in traffic during the eclipse. As a result, numerous veteran eclipse chasers plan to avoid the expected crowds in Texas and seek vantage points at sea, where chasing the eclipse is more accessible.

For those remaining in Austin, Zeiler recommends venturing to the northwest part of the city to witness a longer duration of totality. He expresses confidence that even watching the eclipse from one's porch in Austin will provide a wonderful experience, as a few minutes is more than enough time to appreciate this celestial spectacle. However, many individuals are expected to drive approximately 40 or 50 miles to the west or north of Austin for an extended experience.

Zeiler's estimates, though significant, do not account for individuals residing within the path of totality who also plan to travel, suggesting that the number of people hitting the road to view the eclipse may be even higher than projected. With three months remaining until the highly anticipated event, travelers and host cities alike are preparing to welcome countless eclipse enthusiasts seeking to witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.