PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Timing is everything.

If you’re a last-minute road warrior, Thanksgiving morning might just be your golden ticket. That’s when roads are expected to be clear of congestion.

With nearly 80 million people expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, and 71 million of those people driving, you can expect to see more cars on the roads. AAA Tidewater, though, wants to remind you that there are ways to avoid traffic this holiday season, even with an increase of 1.7 million people traveling for the holiday.

“I came in from northern Virginia, and I left yesterday at 10 a.m.,” said traveler Curtis Wilson Wednesday. “It took about seven hours, worse than last year, but I chose two days before Thanksgiving to come, and so it was busier than last year.”

Just over 2 million of those travelers are Virginians, with 1.9 million of them driving to their destination. There is good news for Virginia drivers amid the traffic — the Virginia Department of Transportation is suspending most highway work zones and lane closures from Wednesday until Monday.

Gas prices are also lower than last year, so wallets won’t feel the squeeze quite as much.

Larry Debrous said his family is coming in from New York.

“They’d rather drive,” Debrous said. “I mean, the gas prices are so low all across the country, I believe. I don’t think they will mind. They are young people in their 30s.”

Let’s not forget the 2.3 million people traveling by cruise ship, bus and train. Brittany Garman said she’s riding Amtrak for the holidays.

“It’s easy travel,” Garman said. “It’s easy travel and it’s cheaper, and I mean, why not? It’s better than riding on a plane and waiting.”

While plenty of people are staying home this Thanksgiving, some, such as David Archer of Portsmouth, are braving the crowds.

“I’m going to try to leave around noon and then come back [by] maybe six in the evening,” Archer said Tuesday. “Hopefully, most of the traffic will be gone by then.”

Regardless of where you’re headed, you can expect some delays.

AAA Tidewater is predicting a heavily traveled holiday, Holly Dalby, with AAA Tidewater, said the best time for drivers to leave is Thanksgiving Day, since most people will already be at their destination. The worst time to leave is anytime after 1 p.m. on the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

“If you are driving this Thanksgiving, you need to get on the road early. Get on the road in the morning, really before 10, 11 in the morning to get to your destination,” she explained. “If you have to wait until later in the day AAA recommends you wait until 6:00 in the evening until after rush hour because the roads are going to be packed.” 

The best time to leave is anytime before 11 a.m. on those days.

When the leftovers are all packed up, drivers should plan to leave between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. the following day. The worst traveling days for people flying and driving are Sunday and Monday.

Dalby also explained that it’s important to focus on the task at hand when you’re behind the wheel and to look out for first responders. 

“Remember, if you see flashing lights of any kind on the side of the road, you need to slow down and move over to give those people some safety and some space so they can get to their destination and enjoy their holiday safe and sound as well.” 

For drivers, gas prices are on your side this year. Experts tell 10 On Your Side the Hampton Roads gas price averages are sitting around $2.80. You can find the cheapest gas near you by using the WAVY Gas Tracker.

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