Turbulent travel as holiday pilgrims gum up roads, airports

Sunday's return trip from the nation's busiest Thanksgiving weekend on record was expected to be hectic for millions of Californians and out-of-state visitors.

By afternoon, freeways leading from Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, the Southern California desert and other getaway destinations were jamming with travelers.

At airports around the state, passengers booked flights early in the day to avoid the expected afternoon and evening crush.

"They're all coming back at the same time," said Nancy Castles, spokeswoman for Los Angeles International Airport.

She said a record 205,000 passengers were expected Sunday, up from the estimated 195,000 to 200,000 on the same day a year ago. The volume is 25 percent greater than the airport handles on a typical day.

"It's because the economy is good and people are traveling more," she said.

A record 38.9 million Americans -- 4 percent more than last year -- were expected to travel at least 100 miles from home for the holiday, according to the American Automobile Association.

Thousands of travelers passing through San Francisco, San Diego and other California coastal airports saw their flights delayed or canceled after fog rolled in late Saturday. San Francisco International Airport had canceled about 20 flights by midmorning Sunday.

Many travelers said the chance to see family over the Thanksgiving holiday made enduring the inevitable crowds, traffic and delays worthwhile.<