Hitting the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday? Here are the best, worst times to travel through the Houston area

Don't say we didn't warn you.

HOUSTON — Thousands of people will be packing their vehicles with turkey, sides and overnight bags to go see their loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday.

If you’re one of those people, you’re going to want to know the best times to hit the road to avoid the chaos.

Best and worst times to travel through the Houston area during Thanksgiving week

*Data from the Texas Department of Transportation*

Houston Metro

• Wednesday, Nov. 22 — Expect heavy traffic from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you’re traveling on I-610, I-10, I-45, Highway 59, Highway 6 and downtown Houston.
• Thursday, Nov. 23 — Expect light traffic from 1 to 4 p.m. if you’re traveling on I-10, I-45, I-610 and downtown Houston.
• Friday, Nov. 24 — Expect light traffic from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. if you’re traveling on FM 1960 and downtown Houston.
• Saturday, Nov. 25 — Expect moderate traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you’re traveling on I-45, I-610, Highway 59, FM 1960 and downtown Houston.
• Sunday, Nov. 26 — Expect moderate traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you’re traveling on I-45, I-610, Highway 288, Highway 59, FM 1960 and downtown Houston.

I-10 Corridor

• Wednesday, Nov. 22 — Expect heavy traffic from noon to 7 p.m. if you’re using I-10 to get to El Paso, San Antonio, Sealy/Katy, Houston, Beaumont and the Louisiana border.
• Thursday, Nov. 23 — Expect light traffic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. if you’re using I-10 to get to Houston and the Beaumont to Louisiana border.
• Friday, Nov. 24 — Expect light traffic from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. to if you’re using I-10 to
• Sunday, Nov. 26 — Expect congestion from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. if you’re using I-10 to get to El Paso, Sierra Blanca, Fort Stockton, San Antonio, Sealy/Katy, Winnie/Stowell and the Louisiana border.

I-45 Corridor

• Wednesday, Nov. 22 — Expect heavy traffic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. if you’re using I-45 to get to Dallas, Huntsville/Conroe, The Woodlands and Houston. Expect congestion from 3 to 11 p.m. if you’re using I-45 to get to Dallas, Buffalo/Centerville, The Woodlands, Houston or League City.
• Thursday, Nov. 23 — Expect moderate traffic from 9 a.m. to noon if you’re using I-45 to get to Dallas, Fairfield, The Woodlands, Houston or League City. Expect moderate traffic from 3 to 7 p.m. if you’re using I-45 to get to La Marque and Galveston.
• Friday, Nov. 24 — Expect light traffic from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. if you’re using I-45 to get from The Woodlands to Galveston
• Saturday, Nov. 26 — Expect moderate traffic from noon to 4 p.m. if you’re using I-45 to get to Huntsville, The Woodlands or from Fairfield to Centerville. Expect moderate traffic from 5 to 8 p.m., if you’re using I-45 to get to Dallas, The Woodlands and Houston.
• Sunday, Nov. 27 — Expect heavy traffic from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. if you’re using I-45 to get to Dallas, Fairfield/Buffalo, Centerville, Madisonville, Conroe, The Woodlands, Houston and League City.

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