I need to be in a city the eclipse is passing over, for a reason unrelated to the eclipse. I can't get a hotel room that night, and I think I will have to drive out of its path for one night. I don't even care about the eclipse but this is so inconvenient and I'm very frustrated.
I’m sure you’ve heard this from everyone, and I don’t mean to minimize your frustration here, but - if you can find a way to see the eclipse, you really should. It’s a uniquely memorable event.
> I don't even care about the eclipse but this is so inconvenient and I'm very frustrated.
If you haven't experienced an eclipse in the arc of totality, and that's where you're already going to be, I would strongly suggest (weather and whatever else permitting) that you drive as close to the centerline as you can, and just park the car and stand there for a few minutes.
It is something everyone should experience if they can.
Okay, yours and the other the comments here convinced me to figure something out, and I've made arrangements. If all goes well I will see the eclipse on Monday. Thanks for your encouragement!
There are plenty of stories you can look up from the 2017 event where people did not consider the traffic. Reviewing some of those might give you a better idea of what to expect for places in the path
