Best, Worst Travel Times For Thanksgiving In Illinois

CHICAGO, IL — Planning to hit the road for Thanksgiving, but dreading the traffic that goes along with that on Chicago's packed roads? Google wants to help.

The search and web services giant has mapped out traffic and search trends for major cities, including the Chicago region, and has some advice on the best, and worst, times to hit the road this year. Much like trying to make it out of town on a summer holiday, the best times to leave are in the middle of the night, literally.

AAA predicts that 50.9 million Americans will travel over the holiday, a 3.3 percent increase over 2016 and the most since 2005. The auto club credits a growing economy and low unemployment for putting people in the traveling mood.

More than 45 million will travel by car between next Wednesday and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the auto club said Thursday.

On your way out of town, Google suggests the best time to leave will be 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to the company's results. The worst time? Traffic is going to be a turkey if you leave around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Google says.

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When you're on your way home, an early start on Friday is your best bet, which doesn't give you much time at grandmother's house. Get going at 4 a.m. on Friday and you'll be in good shape. Wait until Saturday at 4 p.m., though, and a stuffing-and-cranberries hangover won't be your only problem.

The rest of the country follows similar trends. According to Google, late Wednesday afternoon will be the busiest time on the road, while Thanksgiving morning will be the best. If you can't do Saturday morning, early Sunday may be your next best bet. Avoid both Friday and Saturday afternoons though, Google says.

Google, of course, is also keeping an eye on what folks are searching for online during the holiday season. In Chicago, the top search categories during the Thanksgiving season have been where to find Chinese food, pizza and barbecue, plus entertainment, such as live-music venues and museums.

Nationwide, the searches that spike around Thanksgiving, according to Google, are pretty easy to figure out — ham shops, outlet malls, tree farms, natural features and electronics stores.

To see more, check out Google's Mapping Thanksgiving page.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh