Planning on driving north of here to see the total eclipse.
Just be really careful on the road. Every asshole and his brother is going to be out there. And most will be paying attention to everything BUT their driving. They're saying hotels and motels within 250 miles either way of this thing are booked solid. And have been for well over a year. Not to mention EVERYTHING, including gas will be held for ransom at scalpers prices.
This thing passes through a lot of rural towns and cities. And while it's a once in a lifetime occurrence. It's also a once in lifetime chance for these people to turn a fast buck. Roadsides will be filled with vehicles and people walking around everywhere. The area of totality is only a 50 to 80 mile wide band. And that doesn't cover very many roads in rural areas. I wouldn't even attempt to view it from a large city.
I remember back in 1980, I wrote to NASA and got a pass to see the 4th launch of the Space Shuttle. The guy at the Howard Johnsons I was staying at in Cocoa Beach told me to get there no later than midnight. (The launch was at 11:00 AM).
There were over 1 MILLION people there. The worst part is they parked you, "first in = first out". So I was really glad I took the guys advice. The last people who got there were stuck for hours in 90 degree heat and sweltering humidity. There was only a 2 lane road out of the viewing area I was at. It was a mess. I'm thinking in many areas this will be a whole lot worse because it will be, "every man for himself". And like a Shuttle Launch, it only lasts a few minutes. Then everyone tries getting out at the same time.