People in the United States are just hours away from witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse.

And airlines, hotel chains, merchants and even the post office are launching deals to coincide with the Great American Total Solar Eclipse set to begin mid-morning on Monday.

-–>EVENT: Improve Employee Morale with Travel Talk Events

‘We Expect Gridlock’

Already some small towns along the path of totality expect “some craziness” and full hotels, Driggs, Idaho, mayor Hyrum Johnson told Reuters recently.

Johnson’s town, population 1,600, is expecting upwards of 100,000 visitors for the eclipse.

“We expect gridlock,” he said.

–>RELATED: Chasing the Best View of the Great American Total Solar Eclipse

More than half a million people could flood Idaho, in fact; so the state’s Department of Commerce created a special eclipse tourism page—with a countdown clock for eclipse chasers.

Oregon has declared a five-day Oregon Solarfest to take advantage of the event, selling tickets and pet permits.

The state’s governor will even activate the National Guard and deploy 150 soldiers and airmen to “help deal with the influx of tourists,” the Associated Press reported.

The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are urging precautions and boating safety for those who plan to view the event on the water.

There are also dozens of eclipse festivals and tours planned across the Lower 48 states, according to an extensive list compiled by the American Astronomical Society.

In Casper, Wyoming, Casper the Mattress company is setting up “Camp Casper” with “luxurious” tents and bedding.

–>RELATED: Price of National Parks Lifetime Pass to Jump 700%

–>VIDEO: How We Save 50%-80% Off Every Flight

–->SUPPORT: Help Support Our Journalism & Original Content

Eclipse a Celestial Cash Cow

The Eclipse could be a celestial cash cow for companies, including those who sell special glasses to view solar phenomena without damaging the human eye or causing blindness.

Amtrak is holding an eclipse sale on tickets to its stations that will afford the best viewing along its routes.

Riders can take 30% off trips aboard Amtrak’s Illini or Saluki trains between August 16-22, the rail operator said in a release.

Children ride for 50% off.

Here’s a full list of year-round Amtrak discounts.

The United States Post Office is now selling special Total Eclipse of the Sun stamps to mark the occasion.

It’s the first USPS stamp to use “thermochromic ink,” which reacts to human touch.

Place your finger on the stamp, USPS says, and it will change the ink from black to clear “to reveal an underlying image of the moon.”

The Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum is holding solar eclipse events, including an observation party at its locations along the National Mall, near Washington Dulles International Airport at the National Zoo, online and at the National Archives.

–>RELATED: New Strike to Hit Airline This Week

–>RELATED: Electronics Ban Lifted Worldwide as New Screening Begins

–>RELATED: Hotels Tighten Cancellation Policies; Marriott Leads Way

Airlines Plan Eclipse Flights

Southwest Airlines is selling tickets for five flights that it says will have the “greatest likelihood” of having the best views of the eclipse.

Passengers on those flights will receive eclipse viewing glasses and “cosmic cocktails.”

Alaska Airlines announced it will host an “in-flight viewing party” onboard a flight that will “chase” the eclipse on August 21.

The special charter flight is for invitation-only “astronomy enthusiasts and eclipse chasers,” and will fly above 35,000 feet, the airline said in a release.

The flight is due to depart Portland International Airport (PDX) at 7:30am PDT and fly a route off the coast of Oregon as the eclipse becomes visible along the West Coast of the United States.

“As an airline, we are in a unique position to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for astronomy enthusiasts,” Sangita Woerner, Alaska’s vice president of marketing, said in the release.

“Flying high above the Pacific Ocean will not only provide one of the first views, but also one of the best.”

Sun Country Airlines sold out of its special eclipse flight.

Airfares to some eclipse-viewing locations on the ground have skyrocketed to “astronomical levels,” The Washington Post found, including a $1,446 roundtrip airfare—without checked luggage—to Jackson, Wyoming, a city within the line of totality.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is marketing a Total Eclipse Cruise, a seven-day Caribbean sailing with a viewing party and other eclipse-themed events.

Hertz canceled some reservations due to overbooking, BuzzFeed reported, leaving some eclipse watchers stranded.

–>RELATED: Hackers Steal Travelers’ Data From Big Hotel Chain

–>RELATED: 1-Star, 2-Star Hotels Cleaner than 5-Star; Fancy Had 3x More Bed Violations

–>RELATED: Overrated? Guests Ask For Hotel Gyms, Don’t Use Them

Rare Research Opportunity

With some part of the eclipse viewable from everywhere in the continental United States for the first time in a century, it is affording a remarkable opportunity for scientists to conduct rare research and study from the Americas.

In fact, a “massive atmospheric experiment” is planned using 150 “custom-made” radio receivers deployed across America, The Washington Post described earlier this month.

The project is called EclipseMob and is “the largest experiment of its kind in history,” the paper reported.

“We’re using the radio signal strength to understand what’s going on in the ionosphere,” signal processing expert Jill K. Nelson told the Post.

NASA has had so much interest, it recently held a televised briefing with some of its top scientists and experts across the government, including from the Federal Highway Administration, which is preparing for jammed highways and routes.

The Voyage Report included some of the briefing in a recent podcast. LISTEN NOW.

The next total solar eclipse that will be partially visible in the United States will occur April 8, 2024.

-–>SIGN UP: For more news, get The Voyage Report newsletter for FREE

–->TIPS: The Best, Must-Have Travel Apps

–>TIPS: 10 Ways to Protect Checked Gadgets

–>TIPS: How to Sail Through Customs & Immigration

WATCH Mark Albert on WUSA-TV share tips, tricks, and deals for the Great American Total Solar Eclipse:

–>DEAL ALERT: Teachers Get Travel Discounts in NYC, U.S.

–>TIPS: 12 Money-Saving Ideas for Summer

–>TIPS: How to Use Airline Gift Cards to Save Money on Airfare