80 million people travel for Thanksgiving. This is the best time to leave and avoid delays

If you’re like me, you’re preparing for Thanksgiving week. While many Americans may not drive 1,100 miles like I do, you’re probably still confirming flights or looking at the best routes for your drive to see family.

In reality, AAA predicts that 80 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving, and Transportation Security Administration is ready busiest Thanksgiving ever.

That means one in four people in the US will hit the road or airport at the same time next week. To help you avoid delays and nightmare experiences, we’ve reviewed these Google Maps trends to find out the best travel times and the busiest time frames depending on the day you decide to leave home.

If you’re traveling, don’t miss our tips for packing your carry-on to avoid TSA issues, or this Google Flights feature for ultra-cheap airline tickets.

The best and worst times to travel this Thanksgiving

I doubt there’s anyone in the US who enjoys driving in traffic, especially during the holiday rush when you’re doing your best to get your pies and casseroles to dinner on time. Follow these tips to travel with as few delays as possible and avoid traffic jams Google data.

Start your ride early if you can. The roads are clearest on the Sunday and Monday before Thanksgiving around 8 p.m. Just make sure you don’t leave too early. The Friday before Thanksgiving, November 22 this year, is typically the busiest traffic, especially between 1 and 2 p.m.

Avoid driving on Thanksgiving Day. Google data recommends that you avoid driving at all on Thanksgiving Day. If absolutely necessary, it’s best to head out before 9am or after 3pm to avoid getting stuck in heavy traffic.

Avoid flights on weekends. If you choose to fly instead of drive, avoid booking flights on weekends, when airfares are most expensive and airports are busiest. If you already have flights scheduled for the weekend before or after Thanksgiving, make sure you get to the airport earlier than usual, especially if your flight is around 11 a.m., which is when airports tend to be at their most hectic.

Read more: This is the best time to buy cheap airline tickets, according to Google Flights data

The worst time to go shopping on Black Friday at the store

While I prefer online shopping, many Americans love the shopping experience of Black Friday sales. If that’s you, plan ahead to avoid traffic jams.

On Black Friday, the roads are busiest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Plan to shop in the morning or evening to avoid traffic jams and find parking.

Look ahead to Christmas trips

Now that you’re planning your Thanksgiving itinerary, you can also prepare for Christmas. It’s best to avoid driving between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM in the days leading up to December 25.

To avoid long lines, congestion, and headaches, consult Google Maps’ Popular times trends to learn about the best and worst times to visit top vacation destinations such as gas stations, grocery stores and airports.

For more tips, check out this Thanksgiving cheat sheet for home and kitchen hacks.