Hitting the roads

Travelers hit the roads and airports this week, Bob Hope expects 20,000 to come through its terminals Wednesday. BURBANK -- Despite gas prices that are hovering at $2.45 per gallon, up 15 to 20 cents from last year, Southern California motorists are taking to the road this Thanksgiving.

More than 2.9 million Southern California residents are expected to travel over the weekend, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California, with 81% of those travelers driving.

"We've seen that, in past holidays, travel has less to do with the gas prices than it does with how people feel about their own personal situations," Automobile Club Spokesperson Marie Montgomery said. "Gas prices impact you more on your day to day commute. If you're talking about one trip to Vegas, it's maybe $20 or $30 more."

The California Highway Patrol will be increasing the number of their cars on the road as well, Officer Ron Burch said. They deploy 80% of their officers annually around Thanksgiving weekend, ensuring drivers are buckled up and safe.

The most popular destination this holiday weekend is Palm Springs, followed closely by Las Vegas, Mexico and Hawaii, Montgomery said. Although most residents now know what days to expect heavy traffic, Montgomery said, for many avoiding heavy travel times will be impossible.

"If you have to be stuck on an outbound freeway during a heavy travel time, you just need to be patient," she said.

Montgomery also advised motorists to check tires and fluid-levels before taking to the road.

Travelers would be wise, she added, to call California Highway Information at (800) 427-7623 before leaving home.

"They can tell you what highways have lanes closed, where there are accidents; it will help you plan your trip," she said.

Patience will also be a necessary virtue for air travelers this holiday season.

On an average day, the Bob Hope Airport handles about 15,000 passengers but is expecting to see an extra 5,000 passengers on Wednesday based on a canvass of airlines and their advance bookings, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

The main point to be made to passengers is to give themselves enough time to make their flight, Gill said.

Drivers dropping off passengers would also do well not to stay in the far right lane closest to the terminal building, which can get backed up with vehicles, Gill said.