NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Tennessee Department of Transportation officials are preparing for heavy holiday traffic as travelers head out for Thanksgiving week, with Wednesday expected to be the busiest travel day of the year.

TDOT’s Traffic Management Center in Region Three monitors major roadways throughout the Nashville area during holiday travel periods.

“We treat it just like we would a winter storm,” said Zane Pannell, traffic operations manager. “[This] Wednesday is always the busiest travel day of the year.”

Peak travel times to avoid

Pannell said the heaviest traffic typically occurs between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by another rush from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Any time in between those are the best times to travel,” Pannell said.

Problem areas for drivers

Several major inte

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