The accessibility of the August 21 total solar eclipse is simultaneously a great benefit and a problem.

The benefit is that for so many millions of Americans, nature's grandest sight — a total eclipse of the Sun — can be seen by packing a tent and sleeping bags and taking a short road trip from home. To see the stunning spectacle of totality, you have to be within the 60 to 70 mile wide path There is plenty of room inside the path, provided people distribute themselves well.

The problem is that these millions of Americans will produce predictable traffic congestion. Imagine 20 Woodstock festivals occurring simultaneously across the nation. Large numbers of visitors will overwhelm lodging and other resources in the path of totality. There is a real danger during the two minutes of totality that traffic still on the road will pull over at unsafe locations with distracted drivers behind them.

Despite this, we urge you to make every effort to travel to a spot inside the path of totality. You will be stunned at the apparition of the Sun's corona, the majestic light show in the sky, and the full sensory experience of totality. You will remember this sight for the rest your life and will never regret the effort to see totality.

Although the information presented here can be alarming, you can plan for and mitigate issues of congestion. The areas inside the path of totality that will be susceptible to heavy traffic are predictable and you can maximize your success and enjoyment of the eclipse by following these tips:

Arrive to your viewing location at least one (and preferably two) days in advance of August 21st. Some interstate highways in or near the path of totality will be parking lots on the morning of the eclipse.

Avoid the areas of peak congestion as shown on these maps. Check our eclipse web app for real time traffic data.

for real time traffic data. If you have not yet secured lodging, plan to camp or take an RV. There will be plenty of temporary campsites on farms and empty lots.

If you have the freedom to travel long distances, the western states from Oregon to Nebraska offer better odds of clear skies and less congestion.

Be as self-sufficient as possible. Keep your gas tank topped. Bring water, food, and toilet paper. Don't forget sun-screen and hats.

If you absolutely must stay in touch with family or work, rent a satellite phone. Cell phone systems may be overwhelmed.

Get eclipse glasses now before shortages in August. They are needed to watch the partial stages of eclipse but you can view totality directly with your eyes. Learn how to safely view the eclipse .

now before shortages in August. They are needed to watch the partial stages of eclipse but you can view totality directly with your eyes. Learn how to . Get good eclipse maps of the path. These will be invaluable if you need to relocate and will make a great souvenir of the event.

of the path. These will be invaluable if you need to relocate and will make a great souvenir of the event. Watch the weather report on your local TV station in the days before the eclipse. Broadcast meteorologists will be giving eclipse weather forecasts. Try to relocate to another area if your target destination has a poor weather prospect.

Estimating how many people will travel to the path of totality

This infographic summarizes how many people are expected to travel to the path of totality and where they will congregate. The patterns of converging lines to the path of totality represent the quickest drive paths from throughout the nation to the path. These lines are color-coded by destination state. The blue circles in the path are destinations for eclipse travelers, proportionally sized to the expected traffic impact. The black dots are metropolitan areas throughout the country scaled to population.