Google really does seem to know everything.
The search giant's Google Maps analytics have revealed the worst day of the year for getting stuck in traffic along with the sneaky way to avoid bumper-to-bumper cars while returning from your Thanksgiving vacation.
"You should spend your holidays with friends and family--not behind the wheel of a car," Aaron Nelson, Google Maps product manager, said in a statement. "To save you from traffic headaches this Thanksgiving, we're giving you a look at Turkey Day traffic and trends, powered by Google Maps."
Using traffic information from 21 U.S. cities, Google has found that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the worst traffic day of the year; however, Boston sees its highest traffic on Tuesday, while Honolulu, Providence and San Francisco all count Saturday as their worst time to be on the road.
Saturday and Tuesday compete for second and third worst days for traffic, but most people seem to be shopping or otherwise not on the road for Black Friday.
Here are some more insights from Google Maps data:
Beating the rush: Thanksgiving traffic is worst between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the holiday, so leaving before 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m. should help you avoid the worst of the traffic.
Turkey Day: Traffic on Thanksgiving Day itself should be smooth sailing. Google has pinpointed the time between noon and 2 p.m. as having the heaviest traffic, but usually roads are clear.
The return: For weekend trips, driving home on Sunday is the safer bet since traffic can be as much as 40 percent worse on Saturday.
Already eager for Christmas: Fun fact: the top two Google Maps search trends on Black Friday are "Christmas tree farm" and "festival."
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
