How to avoid Labor Day traffic nightmares in Philadelphia

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.