Traffic heading into Thanksgiving shouldn't be as bad as expected Wednesday evening.

By about 6 p.m., parts of the interstate were moving smoothly with few delays reported.

Drivers first saw delays about 11 a.m. along the Downtown Connector, and I-75 in both directions.

By the after work commute, traffic along the Downtown Connector was gridlocked. At 4 p.m. Eastbound lanes along I-285 near Moreland Avenue were at a standstill after a rollover crash.

Delays were also reported along I-20 near the Lee Road exit.

Drivers were urged to stay off the road from 11 a.m. to  4 p.m., when travel times are expected to be at their worst, according to transportation app Waze.

The Georgia Department of Transportation, which suspended construction-related lane closures from 5 a.m. Wednesday to 10 p.m. Sunday, recently partnered with Waze to provide real-time crash reports.

An estimated 48.7 million Americans are expected to travel during the season. Much of the traffic could clear out just before Thursday.

» Hartsfield-Jackson crowds, lane closures lead to congested roads, busy terminal

“There shouldn’t be too many people on the roads because some have already left,” GDOT spokesman Drew Belk said. “It shouldn’t be too crazy during the (holiday).”

Follow these 5 tips to make your commute a little more enjoyable!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday are expected to be good travel days. Drivers should expect noon to 7 p.m. Sunday to be the worst time to head back home.

The app recommends Monday as a day for travel.

Remember to check drive times online at GDOT's website: 511ga.org.

» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.

About the Authors

Keep Reading

Georgia State students bundle up as they cross the campus greenway earlier this month. Temperatures are taking another dip for Thanksgiving, with lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s and 50s around Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff