If you're just now planning travel for next week's total solar eclipse, you may be a little behind.

Hotels are booked up and campgrounds are sold out in and around towns in the eclipse's path of totality.

Nearly 4 million people are expected to make the trip to the viewing zone which stretches from Maine to Texas.

Local businesses are taking advantage of the extra foot traffic, from hosting watch parties to rolling out solar eclipse-themed menus.

How are cities and local businesses preparing for the spending boom? And what should you do to prepare if you plan on traveling to see the solar event?

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy