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When to not hit the street throughout Labor Day weekend

Are you traveling for Labor Day? You could face long traffic lines.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises unvaccinated Americans to stay home for this Labor Day weekend, traffic in certain corridors is expected to increase between Sept. 2-7 as travelers use the three-day weekend, according to the transport analysis company INRIX.

“Thursday and Friday are definitely the toughest days to go out of town,” INRIX analyst Bob Pishue told USA TODAY. “It’s that kind of from early afternoon to early evening” that often overlaps with work traffic and errands.

For those planning on traveling by car this year, here are some of the best – and worst – times to hit the streets, according to INRIX:

  • Thursday: the worst time is between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., the best time is after 9 p.m.
  • Friday: worst time is between 12 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., best time is before 10 a.m.
  • Saturday: the worst time is between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., the best time is before 11 a.m.
  • Sunday: the worst time is between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., the best time is before 10 a.m.
  • Monday: worst time is between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., best time is before 11 a.m.
  • Tuesday: the worst time is between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m., the best time is after 9 p.m.

While more Americans are expected to take to the streets this weekend, travel is unlikely to return to 2019 levels and is likely to pale in comparison to previous holidays like July 4th and Memorial Day, driven by a backlog. Pishue said the rise of the Delta variant and the start of the school year are expected to keep more families off the streets.

“Usually (Labor Day) is a big travel vacation, but we think … less emphasis is placed on it this year than some of these other holidays,” said Pishue. “We definitely expect pretty … minor traffic disruption through this working day, except on a few major corridors.”

Worst traffic corridors between September 2nd and 7th:

  • Washington, DCs Interstate 95 South from Interstate 395 to Virginia State Route 123: Traffic is expected to increase 420% from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Thursday.
  • New Yorks Interstate 278 South from Interstate 495 to 3rd Avenue: Expected to increase 350% from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
  • Seattle Interstate 5 South from State Route 18 to State Route 7: A 330% increase is expected on Friday from 4:15 pm to 6:15 pm.
  • Atlantas Interstate 85 South from US 23 to Martin Luther King Dr .: An increase in traffic of 320% is expected on Friday from 2:45 pm to 4:45 pm
  • Detroit Interstate 96 North from 6 Mile Road to Beck Road: An increase of 250% is expected on Friday between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm.
  • The angel’ Interstate 5 South from San Fernando Road to Florence Ave: A 230% increase is expected on Friday from 4:45 pm to 6:45 pm.
  • San Francisco Interstate 80 North from Interstate 580 to San Pablo Dam Road: A 220% increase is expected on Friday from 4:30 pm to 6:40 pm.
  • Chicago’s Interstate 290 East from US 12 to Morgan Street: A 180% increase is expected on Thursday between 4pm and 6pm.
  • Houstons Interstate 69 East from Interstate 160 to US 10: A 110% increase is expected on Friday from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
  • Bostons State Route 3 / Pilgrims Highway from US 44 to Interstate 93: Traffic is expected to increase 170% on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

► To make your Labor Day safe:What you need to safely celebrate Labor Day weekend amid Delta variant concerns

► CDC travel advice:Unvaccinated individuals should not travel on Labor Day weekend

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.

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