Google Trends show best and worst times for holiday travel

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Thanksgiving is still a week away, but experts say travelers should leave really early if they want to avoid wasting hours stuck in traffic.

Driving is the most popular way to travel on Thanksgiving.

Google released some holiday tips using historical Google Maps traffic data. The best time to leave is this Sunday at 6 a.m. The worst time is the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday at 3 p.m.

When you're coming home, do it the day after Thanksgiving, Friday at 6 a.m. The worst time is Saturday at 4 p.m.

No matter when you drive, drivers will pay the second cheapest gas prices since 2008.

"The gas prices help. They really do. When gas falls, people try to get out and make use of their vacations. Right now, the gas is staying low thankfully," fuel ambassador Michael Sales said.

AAA forecasts 3.69 million Americans will fly over the Thanksgiving holiday period. Google says airport traffic can be up to 60 percent worse than a normal workday.

Google also figured out what you're going to eat when you get there. In California, it's roast turkey. In the South, it's all about smoked turkey.