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There were 46.3 million people in the US traveling during Thanksgiving last year, with 89% of those people traveling by car. That’s a lot of people on the road, but there are certain days and times that are less congested than others. Since we want to equip the Metromile community to be the smartest drivers possible, we’ve crunched some numbers to give you an idea of the best and worst times to drive, based on 2014 trips by Metromile drivers.

We looked at Metromile trips during the weeks before and during Thanksgiving in California, Washington, Seattle and Illinois (we weren’t in Pennsylvania and Virginia at the time). While trip mileage varied by each state, the most miles were driven on Thanksgiving day across all states. The average miles driven that day was 27 in California, 23 in Illinois and 22 in both Washington and Oregon. For context, the average Metromiler typically drives 13 miles a day.

It seems that folks definitely make a weekend out of Turkey Day. In California, Oregon and Washington, the Sunday after Thanksgiving was the day with the second largest amount of miles driven. Illinois drivers logged their second heaviest mileage day on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, perhaps getting a head start on the journey or covering a longer distance.

The whole week surrounding Thanksgiving was filled with high mileage days, but we did find that Monday and Tuesday had the smallest mileage spike in all states. The average miles driven in California on the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving was 16 and 17 miles respectively, which is about 60% less than on Thanksgiving day. So if Monday and Tuesday are the best days to drive, what about the best times? Check out the handy infographic below to drill down into the details (it’s interactive, so you can even view by city). As indicated by the darker colors, mid afternoon to early evening tends to be the most congested.

In short, according to trips taken by Metromilers last year, it is best to drive on Monday or Tuesday, and earlier in the day (before noon). If you do have some big holiday road trips in the future, you are in luck if you are a Metromile pay-per-mile car insurance customer. We have a daily mileage cap so you won’t be charged for over a 250 miles a day (150 in certain states), but still will be totally covered all the way to grandma’s house!

Many of us just turned back our clocks for Daylight Savings which means shorter, colder days are soon to be upon us. So as you break out your sweaters from storage and invest in a few space heaters, it’s also important to make sure your car is winter-ready. Wet roads, dark commute hours, ice, snow and cold temperatures all put a strain on our vehicles and could lead to costly accidents, so it’s important to take precautions before it’s too late. Although winter doesn’t officially start until next month, there are some things that we can do ahead of time to prepare for the chill.

Ensure your tires have tread.

Tires are the most important component to safe winter driving. It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle you drive, the tires are the only contact your vehicle makes with the road. The area where the wheel touches the ground is called the contact patch, and while it’s small in size, it’s important to keep it as efficient as possible. Tires are designed to expel water, snow and other road debris so that the tire tread does not fill up and lose contact with the ground. If the tread loses contact, your car will hydroplane and you could totally lose control. Avoid this by ensuring your tires are in good shape and have about 1/3 of an inch of tread. You can measure with a penny – simply take the coin and hold it with Lincoln’s head facing down. If the penny goes in past the top of his head, the tires are good, but if the tread does not reach the top of his head, the tires need to be replaced. Keep in mind that even though the tires seem fine, lower tread depths are still less efficient are and may have problems if pushed too hard.

The other component that keeps the contact patch efficient is vehicle speed. If there is a lot of water or debris on the road surface, slow down. This allows the debris to be expelled through the tread more efficiently and keeps the tire firmly planted on the road.

Check your wiper blades.

Functioning wiper blades are very important in maintaining full road visibility. Winter months are cold and dark, and when the roads are wet, the light from your headlights bounces off of the road surface and makes it more difficult to see. If your windshield is wet, dirty or streaky, visibility will be impaired even more, which can potentially lead to errors in judgment and ultimately an accident. Wiper blades are inexpensive and can usually be purchased for $30 or less at most auto parts stores or online.

Inspect the engine coolant.

Engine coolant is made up of over 50% of water. The rest of the coolant is comprised of chemicals that help lubricate the water pump, keep the engine cool and prevent it from freezing. If you live in an area that gets below freezing temperatures, it is important to have your coolant changed or at least checked before the temperatures get too low. If the coolant in your engine freezes, it can expand to the point where something inside of your engine cracks or causes the radiator to break. Both of these situations can be very expensive since a whole new engine will be needed. Take control of that situation and have your cooling system inspected before the freeze.

These are just a few things that you can do to keep you and your vehicle safe during the winter months.

We are finally all settled into our new San Francisco home and ready to show it off. Thanks to our friends at Geremia Design, we were able to transform an empty industrial space into a warm, open office with ample lounge areas and conference rooms. All with a Metromile touch to really make it our own!

Photo: Cesar Rubio

Just like our customers, the majority of the SF Metromilers use public transit to get to work, so it was important to find a location convenient to multiple bus stops and train stations. And of course, it also needed to be easy to bike to. We were able to find a location that satisfied these requirements (bike racks and all!) and had a special surprise: a futuristic-looking facade that changes color at night.

One of our goals at Metromile is to shake up the age-old insurance industry, so we wanted our interior office decor to reflect just that. This inspired us to include a few nods to old-school automobiles, but with a twist. We have a small antique car with a plant growing in it, a coffee table that doubles as a matchbox car display, a rearview mirror art installation and a conference room table that sits on car pistons.

We wanted to tip our hat to our friends in the Tempe office, so we installed a large mural of a Route 66-esque road in the southwest. Other murals around the office invoke themes of travel, serving as reminders that Metromile is road trip friendly (our customers aren’t charged for driving over 250 miles each day) and motivation to get out on the open road. In other efforts to unite our fellow co-workers across the country, all of our offices (SF, Tempe and Boston) have conference rooms named after automobile influencers.

One of the most important parts of the new office is the open kitchen that is large enough for the whole company to assemble in. No matter how big we grow, it’s always important that we can gather in one place to share and celebrate company successes. Or to start a friendly nerf-gun fight. During our office-warming party, it was a great place for guests to mingle with each other, and we expect to see many occasions like this in the future!

The following is a guest post from Katherine Oaks at Modernize, a site filled with advice about how to remodel and upgrade your home using the latest innovations.

With the onslaught of new technology surrounding self-driving cars, ride-sharing services and connected cars, we often forget about an important aspect of car ownership. The place where your car actually lives, your garage. So if your home has a garage and you are looking for ways to update, automate and rejuvenate it, we found some of the best gadgets to make it happen.

Try a smarter remote.
It goes without saying that the most ubiquitous and popular gadget for your garage is the automatic garage door opener. With a simple click of the button your garage door automatically opens for you…until it doesn’t. Over time, these small, battery-powered gadgets are prone to break, get lost or even stop working completely, a problem that inspired a much smarter solution. There are now beacons that will sense your arrival and open the garage door for you the moment you pull into the driveway. You can even share it with other users, so long as they download the app, and avoid accumulating more of those breakable and archaic buttons.

Never lose your keys again.
You can have a garage tricked out with all of the latest technology, but none of that matters if you simply cannot find your car keys. Luckily, gadgets like Tile can save you fruitless hours of searching for your car keys only to find you had them in your hand the entire time. Attach the sensor to your keys just like a keyring, and it connects to an app on your smartphone. Lost your keys? Simply ring it and it responds. It even provides its location on a map so you can access your keys wherever they ended up.

Upgrade to a futuristic interior.
Having a tech-savvy garage doesn’t always mean it looks the part, but then again, it’s a lot cooler if it does. Try out some easy-to-install and stylish modular tile floors – they simply snap into place like Legos and you choose from any color or style tile to create a look that works best for you. Since the tiles are paint-free, there’s no need to worry about chipping or moisture build-up that will wear it down. And what is a souped-up garage good for if you can only use it during the warmer half of the year? Insulated steel garage doors can retain the internal temperature of your space.

Follow these recommendations, download the Metromile smart driving app and you will be equipped to travel with ease from the moment you leave your garage!

We love hearing from our happy customers and wanted to share this note we recently received from Metromile customer Catherine New, who was searching for an affordable insurance after her cross-country move:

One big reason I left New York City to move to San Francisco is to be able to take my dog (an amazing three-legged rescue pup named Wayne) to the beach and other outdoorsy spots around the Bay on the weekends. Car-sharing just wasn’t going to work for hauling around a big, wet, sand-covered dog — so I bought a used 2004 Honda CR-V for $2,500.

I called my insurance company (actually two calls, since they had to call me back hours later with a quote) to find out what my rates would be — and it was about $100 a month at the minimum. More than I needed. Knowing that I probably wouldn’t drive more than 7,500 miles in a calendar year, I checked out Metromile. Based on my profile, the rate was significantly lower. Deal!

The UX and design were super simple and intuitive, and I was able to get my insurance instantly — printing out an insurance card from my computer. A few days later my Metromile Pulse arrived, which I plugged into my car. Now, I love getting automated updates from Metromile with street cleaning notices if I am parked on certain streets and watching my mileage and trip data through the app. I use automation and data-driven apps for everything else in my life, so it makes obvious sense to do it for my driving life too.

We are always happy to hear stories like Catherine’s, so if you have one to share, send us a note at [email protected] and you might find yourself in the spotlight as well!

We spend an average of 38 minutes getting to and from work, totaling 165 hours a year. You could have binge-watched almost every Simpsons episode in that amount of time! If you are in the driver’s seat, your commute is likely even more painful as you aren’t able to multitask and get a head start on answering work emails (or checking Facebook). Our main piece of advice is to find alternative commute methods, such as biking, carpooling or taking the bus. It isn’t a shock that one of the main causes of a long morning commute is traffic, so if we all drove a little less, the gridlock might not be so gruesome. We do understand driving to work is sometimes unavoidable, so whether you are braving the traffic or in for a long bus ride, we’ve rounded up our favorite apps to help make the most of your morning commute.

Fight boredom.
There are some days when you know exactly what music you want to listen to, which is when a streaming service like Spotify or Rdio will come in handy. But what about those groggy mornings when you would just love a personal DJ? Check out Songza or Apple’s new Beats radio. You could also switch things up and subscribe to some new podcasts. If you aren’t in the driver’s seat, catch up on the news with apps like Flipboard or AP Mobile.

Don’t lose your cool.
You don’t have to be a serious yogi to try meditation. If you aren’t behind the wheel, try downloading Calm or Headspace to find a little piece of mind before you rush into the day. If you are in the driver’s seat, we definitely do not recommend closing your eyes and clearing your mind (driving takes concentration!), but listening to calming music and trying some breathing exercises could help tone down the road rage. You could even tune into a classical musical station on your favorite streaming service or the radio. …

We typically don’t associate fall with many extreme weather conditions, but as (the hopefully resurrected) Jon Snow would say in Game of Thrones, winter is coming. So when the leaves start to change outside, some of your driving habits might need to change as well. We aren’t talking anything drastic, but by being aware of the changing weather and traffic conditions, you can potentially avoid costly mishaps.

Be mindful of the littering of leaves.
We often marvel at the vivid colors of fall foliage, but they can actually be quite hazardous. Admiring the changing leaves while behind the wheel means you are a distracted driver and don’t have full focus on the road. When it rains, wet leaves can become almost as dangerous as ice, causing cars to skid and lose control. Even when it isn’t raining, fallen leaves can mask important road markings, potholes and more. We aren’t suggesting that you place a bulk order for leaf blowers, but it’s probably a good idea to have a heightened sense of your surroundings.

Adjust to new traffic patterns.
Even if you aren’t heading back-to-school, there is still a chance you will be affected by those who are. Not only could there be more cars on the road during rush hour, but you will have to be aware of new obstacles such as children running into the street or a school bus making frequent stops. And come Halloween, you should be mindful of an onslaught of ghosts, skeletons and mini-Elsas. …

For the last post in our new car owner series, we are going to shake things up a bit and focus on the things you shouldn’t do. If you recently purchased a new car (congrats!), there are a few habits you should avoid from the get-go so you can maintain your car’s value if you ever decide to sell. While it might sound counterintuitive to start thinking about selling your car soon after buying it, you will get the most bang for your buck when you take good care of your valuable investment from day one.

Ditch the dirt.
There’s no harm in becoming borderline-obsessed with keeping your new ride squeaky clean. While it’s totally fine to skip a wash or two, don’t let it become a habit. Things like sunlight, rain and even bird poop can wear away at a new car’s finish. Stay mindful of the dirt that can build up and have your car washed a couple times each month, either at your local carwash or at home if you have space (a great way to save money). If you are living in California amidst the drought, check out this article about how to wash your car with a single cup of water. It is also recommended that you get a full detail a few times a year, which is likely offered at the carwash as well.

Avoid aftermarket accessories.
It’s tempting to personalize your car to truly make it “yours”, but be weary of tweaks that can’t be undone. Avoid any add-ons that alter powertrain or safety equipment – this can interfere with your car’s warranty. Even things like bumper stickers can leave residue and reduce your car’s value. Stick to things that can be easily switched out like an air freshener or the classic fuzzy steering wheel cover.

Control the mess.
It’s your car, so you can do whatever you want in there. But do keep in mind that every time you take your dog for a spin, light a cigarette or chow down on a burger, there is a chance you could damage the interior. Plus, eating while driving is considered distracted driving and unsafe. Be mindful of how you treat your car’s interior and you’ll be proud to give your friends a ride instead of trying to mask a lingering stench. …

Have you ever wondered if your current car insurance provider truly fits your lifestyle? Here at Metromile, we are on a mission to provide low-mileage drivers with a fair and affordable car insurance where their monthly bill is based on the miles they actually drive. We believe that if you don’t drive much, you shouldn’t pay much! So if you’ve been thinking of making the switch but aren’t quite convinced, we put together this handy quiz to help determine if pay-per-mile car insurance is right for you. And if you ever have any questions about our offering, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Purchasing a new car can be very exciting. From the initial research to negotiating with the dealership to showing it off to all of our friends, it feels good to have finally bought a new car. But after the purchase you need to focus on keeping that new car looking and driving like new. Let’s face it, your car will never look the same as it did when you drove it off the lot. Here are a few suggestions for keeping your new ride in pristine condition.

1. Have the exterior waxed. The paint on your vehicle will have to deal with some pretty harsh conditions over the years such as extreme heat, UV rays, rock chips, bird droppings, and even snow and salt. Having the exterior professionally waxed every year will create a protective layer on the exterior surfaces that will help in minimizing the effects of the elements, keeping your new ride looking sharp for many years to come.

2. Avoid the temptation to apply a bunch of shiny protectants to the interior. Although these products will make things look shiny and smell good, they can actually remove the plasticizers out of the interior finishes, increasing the likelihood of age or sun related cracking. There are products that are designed to clean interior surfaces with a Ph-balanced solution but use them sparingly.

3. Regular preventive maintenance is probably the most important thing you can do as a new car owner to keep your car healthy. Anyone who’s spent a ton of money on repairs will warn you not to ignore preventive maintenance. The basics, such as changing your oil, checking your tire pressure and getting scheduled inspections and are like getting regular checkups at the doctor. This keeps your car healthy and also gives a chance to catch anything serious before it becomes a major problem. That could save you thousands down the road.

4. Pay attention to recalls. We have all seen small problems turn into major ones when the dealerships sell products that have safety defects. Some of these problems do not become apparent until years after the vehicle was made. Manufacturers are proactive these days in alerting the consumer of these issues, so pay attention to them. You may receive a voluntary recall notice in the mail years after the purchase, so make sure you take the necessary steps as soon as possible so that your car stays safe and reliable for years to come.

These are just a few simple things that you can do to keep your new ride looking good and running smooth.