The holiday season is upon us, and for many, that means taking to the skies or hitting the road to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones. But with so many people traveling at the same time, delays are almost inevitable. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle and get to your Turkey Day festivities on time, planning ahead is key.

Historically, the busiest travel days for Thanksgiving are the Wednesday before and the Sunday after. With most travelers trying to maximize their time off, these days see a significant increase in traffic on the roads and in airports. If you’re flying, expect packed flights, longer security lines, and potential delays due to increased air traffic.

So when is the best time to leave? If flexibility is in your favor, try to depart earlier in the week. Tuesday can be a wise choice for flyers; it often has fewer passengers than Wednesday and sometimes offers cheaper flight options. Even better might be Monday or even Sunday if your schedule allows an extended holiday stay.

For those driving, consider leaving on Tuesday or early Wednesday morning. Roads can still be relatively clear compared to Wednesday afternoon when everyone has wrapped up their work week and school day.

The general rule? Beat the rush by leaving before noon on Wednesday if you’re driving or choose a day prior if you’re flying. The same logic applies for your return trip—try flying back on Friday or Saturday rather than waiting until Sunday to sidestep the congestion.

Weather is another unavoidable factor that could impact your travel plans. Keep an eye on forecasts in both your departure city and destination. Severe weather can quickly change flight availability and road conditions, no matter the time or day.

Remember that patience is crucial during holiday travel. Even with perfect planning, delays can happen. Give yourself plenty of time for travel, check-in at airports, or unexpected stops on a road trip.

In essence, early planning and flexibility are your best bets for avoiding delays during Thanksgiving travel. Safe travels!