OHIO — This year, Thanksgiving travel is expected to have the third-highest volume since 2000, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

AAA estimates show more than 55.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for their homes for the holiday, which is a 2.3% increase from last year. 

Because of the this, the Ohio Department of Transportation is urging residents to get ahead, leave early and allow plenty of time for travel as roads will be busier than normal. 

What You Need To Know

"As is customary with all major travel holidays, ODOT will work with contractors to reduce the size and impact of ongoing work zones across the state," ODOT said. "However, that isn't always possible in some work zones."

ODOT said work zones include:

  • I-75 in Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo
  • I-70/71 in downtown Columbus
  • I-70 in Zanesville
  • Several projects in the Akron area

ODOT has analyzed historical traffic data to determine the best and worst times to travel and each of Ohio's major cities. Here's what they found: 

Columbus

  • Monday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Heavy traffic, avoid travel between 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday through Saturday: Light traffic expected
  • Sunday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Cincinnati

  • Monday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Heavy traffic, avoid travel between 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday through Saturday: Light traffic expected
  • Sunday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cleveland

  • Monday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Heavy traffic, avoid travel between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday through Saturday: Light traffic expected
  • Sunday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Dayton

  • Monday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Heavy traffic, avoid travel between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Thursday through Sunday: Light traffic expected

Toledo

  • Monday: Heavy traffic, avoid travel between 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday through Saturday: Light traffic expected
  • Sunday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Akron/Canton

  • Monday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Heavy traffic, avoid travel between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday through Saturday: Light traffic expected
  • Sunday: Moderate traffic, avoid travel between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

ODOT also encourages travelers to check OHGO.com, which has access to 1,000 traffic cameras, real-time travel alerts and work zone locations.

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