OREGON, Ohio — An abundance of visitors to northwest Ohio are expected for the total solar eclipse on April 8.
For folks who travel the world to view eclipses as they happen, Americans are finding traveling in an RV may be a more efficient way to take in the experience. Having the spacious area of a campsite allows solar eclipse viewers to enjoy the full experience outdoors.
"You get the freedom to escape city and have your own viewing party wherever you choose, and you can do that from an RV or camper van," said Jeff Cavins, CEO of Outdoorsy RVs.
Jack Chalfin, sales manager of Reineke RV of Toledo, said campgrounds have benefits you can't take advantage of if you're staying in a hotel.
"A lot of people outdoors and instead of being in a hotel room with the four walls and a TV, so, they like to get their kids out to a campground in the playgrounds and it's just a lot of fun because in the RVs you've got all the conveniences of home," he said.
Lucas County's population is expected to double on April 8, according to the Lucas County Emergency Management Agency.
Now, many are trying to find the best way to get around northwest Ohio. Outdoorsy RV connects local motorhome and campervan owners with people wanting to rent them.
Renting an RV that can fit five people from April 2-9 would cost about $1,000, according to Outdoorsy.
With hotels quickly filling up, Cavins says you can get the best of both worlds with an RV.
"In Toledo when the eclipse is over, it'll just be completely swamped," he said. "The hospitality and lodging category is going to be very difficult for hotels to meet the demand. I don't know what the numbers are but I've got to imagine 500,000 or more (people) will be gathering for this, so an RV or a camper van is a great way to have the hotel with you."
Cavins also said RVs give you the time to wait out the traffic and relax while making your commute home from the eclipse.
"When the event is over, you're going to have an enormous amount of traffic and an RV gives you a chance to wait it out and have an essentially a hotel room on wheels," he said. You can wait for the crowd to disperse and then you have complete control of your environment."