How to beat D.C. traffic on Labor Day weekend

We have tips to beat Labor Day weekend traffic.

The big picture: Peak congestion in the D.C. area is expected on the Baltimore/Washington Parkway southbound on Labor Day at 3:15pm according to INRIX, a transportation data company cited by AAA .

• The route is expected to take 1 hour and 3 minutes — 44% worse than usual.

By the numbers: AAA's booking data points to a 9% increase in domestic travel compared to last Labor Day weekend, and the cost to travel is down 2%.

The best travel times, per INRIX:

• Thursday, Aug. 29 before 11am
• Friday before noon and after 7pm
• Saturday after noon
• Sunday before noon
• Monday before 10am
• Tuesday after 1pm

The bottom line: "Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers," INRIX analyst Bob Pishue said in a press release.