Closest place to DC to see total solar eclipse?

[Anonymous]

What is the closest place e to DC to see the eclipse? I'm looking to drive down to see it in a day, Spend one night in a hotel and drive back the following day.

[Anonymous]

South Carolina.

[Anonymous]

I'd say Columbia, SC. It's about 7 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the closest place e to DC to see the eclipse? I'm looking to drive down to see it in a day, Spend one night in a hotel and drive back the following day.

Good luck getting a hotel nearby or even an Air BnB. I would plan stay a couple of hours away and give yourself lots of time in the drive there in the morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the closest place e to DC to see the eclipse? I'm looking to drive down to see it in a day, Spend one night in a hotel and drive back the following day.

But, you will find most of the rooms are booked. I am staying in Columbia; booked the room in January.

Good luck

(this had been on my calendar since 1991)

[Anonymous]

What is going to be bad is the drive back the next day. 95 is going to be a parking lot as everyone tries to get back to work on Tuesday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is going to be bad is the drive back the next day. 95 is going to be a parking lot as everyone tries to get back to work on Tuesday.

SC is the closest point for everyone from Key West to Boston, or 71 million....

[Anonymous]

Hotels are booked right in the path of the eclipse. Drive down that day - it happens from like 2-4 pm. Drive out at 4 pm and stop somewhere at 7-8 pm; you will be able to find hotels 2-3 hours away and then it's also 2-3 hrs less drive time the next day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hotels are booked right in the path of the eclipse. Drive down that day - it happens from like 2-4 pm. Drive out at 4 pm and stop somewhere at 7-8 pm; you will be able to find hotels 2-3 hours away and then it's also 2-3 hrs less drive time the next day.

I would not advice this...I think traffic will be exceptionally bad with a few million people having the same idea.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a science person, but can anyone tell me why this is that big of a deal? Even in DC it will be mostly a full eclipse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a science person, but can anyone tell me why this is that big of a deal? Even in DC it will be mostly a full eclipse.

It will go entirely dark for 2.5 minutes. No sun.

[Anonymous]

If it is not a total eclipse, you only see the sun. In a total eclipse, you see the Corona. The only time you can see it is during a total eclipse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a science person, but can anyone tell me why this is that big of a deal? Even in DC it will be mostly a full eclipse.

+1. Why has this been on someone's calendar since 1991?? Is it THAT big of a deal? Plus aren't you NOT supposed to look at a solar eclipse. I know everyone will say - oh I have protective eye wear - but do you really trust that the paper glasses you buy from Amazon for $5 are not going to be counterfeit?

[Anonymous]

Just better plan for the next one in 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is not a total eclipse, you only see the sun. In a total eclipse, you see the Corona. The only time you can see it is during a total eclipse.

What's a Corona?