How to avoid Labor Day traffic nightmares in Philly

Labor Day is projected to be the busiest time on roads in the Philadelphia metro this coming holiday weekend.

Why it matters: Planning ahead to drive during off-peak times could save you hours in the car.

Zoom in: Peak congestion is expected at 8:30am along the route from the Poconos to Philly via I-76 and the Blue Route (I-476), according to INRIX , a provider of transportation data that works with AAA.

• That trek is estimated to take 3 hours and 23 minutes — 35% longer than normal.

Pro tips: INRIX reports that the times with the least amount of traffic this holiday weekend are:

• Thursday: Before 11am
• Friday: Before noon and after 7pm
• Saturday: After noon
• Sunday: Before noon
• Sept. 2: Before 10am
• Sept. 3: After 1pm

What they're saying: "Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers," Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a news release .