Memorial Day driving in Boston: Don’t leave Thursday afternoon if you can help it

The worst time to drive in the Boston area this Memorial Day Weekend will be Thursday afternoon between 4:30 and 6:30, according to an analysis from AAA.

Congestion will be particularly awful those hours, making any other time before or after the best to get out of Dodge for the long weekend.

Though a lot of people will be trying to get into Boston. The city is apparently one of the top 10 destinations this Memorial Day Weekend, according to AAA.

In general, more than 41.5 million Americans are expected to travel via various modes this holiday—nearly 5 percent more than in 2017 and the most in more than 12 years. Of that 41.5 million, 36.6 million are expected to travel by automobile.

Good luck. And, if you’re looking for last-minute escape ideas, might we suggest these 12 quaint towns near Boston? Or these fantastic beaches, many of which you don’t need to drive to?

• Boston’s best beaches, mapped [Curbed Boston]
• 12 quaint Boston-area towns to visit this spring [Curbed Boston]