On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will take place across North America, beginning in Mexico and finishing in Canada. This will be the first total solar eclipse since 2017 and the last one to cross the Unites States until 2044.

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The total solar eclipse only takes place in the path of totality, but those outside the path will still witness a partial eclipse.

The path of totality passes over Dallas, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; and Rochester, New York.

Additionally, metropolitan areas such as St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Toronto and Quebec are very close to the path, while Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within 200 miles of the path of totality.

In 2017, convenience stores in and near the path of totality experienced a surge in traffic. Many customers were looking for special eclipse-watching sunglasses, which allow viewers to safely witness the entirety of the total solar eclipse. The glasses were sold, and sold out, at Casey’s General Stores, Circle K, Love’s Travel Stops, Maverik, Pilot/Flying J and 7-Eleven Stores.

C-stores stocked up on fuel in anticipation of heavy traffic. At the time, Casey Kaiser, executive director of the Prineville and Crook County Chamber of Commerce in Oregon, which was in the zone of totality, said that gasoline retailers ordered 20% more fuel than they would for a busy holiday weekend because of eclipse traffic.

Various stores also took advantage of their location to host special events around the eclipse. The Bodega convenience store in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, not only stocked up on eclipse merchandise but also set up a tent in the vacant field next door and hired a live band. Eclipse watchers arrived to party and try the stores special beer offering, Obscura, “the eclipse beer.”

For the 2024 total solar eclipse, 32 million people live within the path of totality. Additionally, metropolitan areas such as St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Toronto and Quebec are very close to the path, while Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within 200 miles of the path of totality. GreatAmericanEclipse.com has additional details.