Rental Cars Selling Out Ahead of Solar Eclipse

Rental cars in Portland, Oregon, Nashville, Tennessee and other destinations in and around the upcoming solar eclipse's path of totality are booking up in a hurry.

According to KGW, Enterprise, Hertz and Avis are sold out of rental vehicles in the Greater Portland area as of Thursday.

Hertz spokeswoman Lauren Luster told KGW the company accidentally overbooked in advance of the Aug. 21 eclipse, requiring it to bring in additional vehicles to meet the surging demand.

"We will be fulfilling all existing reservations," said Luster.

Some frustr|ated travelers who had their reservations canceled have taken to social media to criticize the company.

Shame on @Hertz for heavily overbooking cars in Portland for the eclipse. They cancelled my res. I made months ago; whole trip now cancelled

— Josh Whiting (@yetanotherjosh) August 2, 2017

@Hertz price gouging in Portland for the eclipse weekend. 'Glitch' takes unlimited res, while increasing price 10x... cancels priors.

— Andrew Yakovlev (@a_yakovlev) August 3, 2017

Rental cars will also be very difficult to come by in cities east of Portland ahead of the rare phenomenon.

I need to pick up a rental car for work on Monday but there isn't a single one available anywhere in Nashville. Let's reschedule the eclipse

— Ben Smith (@bcsmith317) August 17, 2017

Not a single rental car to be found in Spokane this weekend. Guessing the eclipse has something to do with it.

— Daniel Knaack (@DanielKnaack) August 17, 2017

Car broke down. And every rental car in all of Utah is apparently taken for the eclipse. Good.

— Ryan Garrison (@ryandgarrison) August 15, 2017

Trying to get a rental car in KC during the eclipse... easier said than done!! Traffic Monday is going to be SCARY. #Eclipse2017

— Raven (@ravenhubbard14) August 16, 2017

Travelers should have better luck in major cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago and Denver, where they'll have to drive several hours to reach a destination in ideal view of the total solar eclipse.

READ MORE: Last-Minute Solar Eclipse Travel Tips

With hotels and flights in and to regions in the path of totality booking up or on the verge of selling out entirely, rental cars represent one of the few means of transportation available for solar eclipse travelers looking to make their way into a prime viewing area without breaking the bank or making a long road trip from home.

Even so, travelers able to get their hands on a rental car can expect to shell out a little extra cash as the incredible demand has sent prices soaring in some cases.

In Idaho, and Hertz warned me if I kept rental car past Thur., it's $500 a day because so much demand related to eclipse next week. $500!!!

— Tim Craig (@timcraigpost) August 14, 2017

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