Thanksgiving Travel 2017: The worst times to drive and most treacherous traffic hotspots in the DMV

WASHINGTON - Some call it "Terrible Turkey Traffic Tuesday!" The Tuesday before Thanksgiving is one of the worst days to hit the road -- not only in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region -- but across the country.

More than 3.3 million holiday travelers from around the D.C. area will jump into their cars over the Thanksgiving break and many of them will begin their trips today. The DMV ranks sixth in the nation among the top traffic hotspots in America's most congested cities

Traffic is expected to be at its worst in the DMV between 4:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Tuesday when traffic congestion is expected to double! An extended period of heavy congestion is most likely to occur from mid-morning Tuesday into the evening on Wednesday. Heavy congestion is again expected on the roadways on Saturday and Sunday as many return home from the holiday weekend.

Here are the Top 10 Traffic Hotspots in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area:

#1 I-95 S @ US-17/US-1/EXIT 126

#2 MD-295 N @ I-195

#3 I-95 S @ VA-234/EXIT 152

#4 I-495 CW @ MD-337/ALLENTOWN RD/EXIT 9

#5 MD-295 N @ MD-100

#6 I-270 N @ MD-85/EXIT 31

#7 I-270 N @ MD-80/EXIT 26

#8 I-95 N @ MD-100/EXIT 43

#9 I-95 N @ VA-123/EXIT 160

#10 I-495 CW @ MD-414/ST BARNABAS RD/EXIT 4

Flying your destination? The worst travel days for getting to your Thanksgiving destination by air are: Sunday, November 26, Wednesday, November 22, and Friday, November 17, in that order. The lightest travel day is expected to be Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23.

You can stay ahead of the traffic with FOX 5's Erin Como!