Minimizing the Stress of Holiday Trips

More than 33 million Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving weekend, according to the American Automobile Assn.--27.7 million by car, 5.9 million by air. Over the December holidays, 44 million will be on the move. No wonder many travelers find the holidays stressful.

Nothing can eliminate holiday travel stress, but taking a few simple precautions before departure can significantly reduce it.

By car: Plan your getaway before or after the crowd, advised officer Lou Aviles, a spokesman for the southern division of the California Highway Patrol. For Thanksgiving, that probably means leaving early Wednesday, Aviles said. For Christmas, which falls on a Friday this year, leave Thursday or even Wednesday. Return Monday, if possible, to avoid the Sunday homeward crush.

Before setting out, make use of toll-free information numbers and Internet sites to map routes and to avoid congested areas.

Call (800) 427-ROAD, a highway information service maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to get an update on specific highway conditions. On a touch-tone phone, press the number of the route you plan to travel. Or call the Caltrans Highway Information Network, (916) 445-1534, to hear a recording on road conditions.

Internet information on road conditions is plentiful. Visit the California Highway Patrol Web site (https://www.chp.ca.gov) to get updated road information.

For real-time freeway traffic speed and locater maps, visit https://traffic.maxwell.com. The Los Angeles and San Diego areas are covered, and 13 other metropolitan areas are being phased in.

It sounds obvious, but the CHP’s Aviles said many motorists run into trouble because they don’t check their vehicle before departure. Check oil and coolant levels, the battery, windshield wiper blades and tire inflation and tread. Pack battery cables and, if the route warrants, snow chains and the tools to install them. Take a cellular phone if possible, a blanket and a flashlight.

Plan rest stops ahead of time, advised Jeffrey Spring, a spokesman for the Automobile Club of Southern California. “We recommend taking a rest every 1 1/2 to two hours, especially with kids in the car.” Limit driving to no more than eight hours a day, he advised.

By air: Cora Fossett, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles International Airport, said it can’t be stressed enough: Get to the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight during the holidays.

Before leaving home, call the airline to confirm departure time.

Instead of scrambling to find a parking place close to the terminal, consider using remote lots and taking the free shuttle. “Our lot on 111th Street, Lot B, is the least hassle, in my opinion,” Fossett said. Lot B (at La Cienega Boulevard) charges $5 a day for up to 30 days; Lot C, at 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard, is $7 a day.

Fossett said travelers are often surprised to learn that the first two hours at both lots are free. She encouraged people who are picking up travelers at the airport to park in Lot B or C and take the shuttle to the terminal to fetch their guests.

The airport parking services office, (310) 646-9070, will answer questions. For a brochure, “All About LAX,” call the public affairs office at (310) 646-5260.

At the terminal, don’t leave bags unattended. Apart from the possibility of theft, “bags unattended for 15 or 20 minutes are likely to be confiscated,” she said.

And she had a special holiday tip: Don’t take wrapped gifts as carry-on items. Security may need to see what is inside.

Remember that picture identification is required at check-in for travelers over the age of 18. And save attempts at humor for holiday dinner table conversation. “Jokes about hijacking will be taken seriously,” Fossett said.

Packing tips: Cutting down on luggage can lighten the load, both physically and psychologically. Travelers with small children, for instance, might consider arranging before the trip to borrow strollers and other bulky gear from family or friends at their destination, saving the trouble of carrying them.

Packing a personal stereo and a few audiotapes can help reduce stress once travelers are on the road or aloft.

Two that are specifically geared to relaxation: “Inflight Yoga,” a 42-minute tape from Yoga Enterprises ($14.45; [800] 233-9642), includes breathing exercises, stretches, postures and meditations. “Ancient Voices From Within,” a cassette of flute music by Maria Kostelas, is meant to relax listeners in a matter of minutes. The 60-minute cassette is $11.90 from Flutes of the World, (888) GO FLUTE.

Healthy Traveler appears the second and fourth Sunday of the month.