This is why I chose the farm area southeast of Salem. There was no shortage of country roads all the way north to I-205 if needed. I was able to avoid practically all the traffic jam.

As to whether it was worth the trip:

https://xkcd.com/1880/

Someone in Madisonville, KY has a really good sense of humor. At the entrance to the freeway on ramp leaving town they posted a sign that says "Thanks for visiting. Come again when it isn't so crowded!" :D

Trying to get from from Albany to Eugene I had Google Maps tell me that there was no available route. There certainly didn't seem to be an unclogged route!

Did you know where you were going and/or did you have spot to stay/wait?

These of us who arrived from south did not have much choice on this regard....

Anyway. For 2019 - Chile or Argentina?

I chose a spot on Google Maps street view. I ended up cruising the area to find a secluded overnight spot. In the morning I cruised again and picked a slightly different viewing spot about a mile away. But the escape route was the same one I chose on Google Maps a few days earlier.

Like someone else mentioned, it is the liability issue. Besides, as a parent, I would want my child to be with me - if given the chance - to a) enjoy with the child and b) keep the child safe for the duration of the eclipse (the safety and liability issue is absolutely NOT the "couple of minutes" of totality but the couple of hours leading up to and away from it).

That said, neither of my kids' schools closed, but they didn't want to leave school to come with me to watch totality. So, I drove alone about 600 miles each way and had a wonderful viewing of the eclipse. :-)

Thanks Moderator, but I will add a short trip report regardless ... once I am done with my Alaska Trip Report :-)

^^ Looking forward to it.