Your Stress-Free Guide to Thanksgiving Travel at LAX and Beyond

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and if you’ve ever tried to reach LAX the Wednesday before, you know the holiday starts long before the turkey. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Southern California, with packed terminals, full parking lots and freeways that slow to a crawl. A little planning goes a long way, so here’s how to make this year’s trip easy.

Know the peak days

Expect the heaviest airport crowds on Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25, and again on Sunday, November 29, when most travelers head home. If your schedule allows, flying on Thanksgiving morning or returning on Saturday or Monday can mean shorter lines and calmer roads.

On the freeways, the worst stretches are usually Wednesday afternoon and evening, when holiday traffic collides with the regular commute. The I-405 near LAX, the I-5 north through the Grapevine and the I-15 toward Las Vegas are reliably slow.

Give yourself extra time at LAX

LAX is in the middle of a major modernization ahead of the 2028 Olympics, and construction can change traffic patterns and curb access with little notice. During Thanksgiving week, plan to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights, then add time for the drive itself. The Central Terminal Area loop can back up badly on peak days, and a few minutes spent circling can turn into thirty.

Consider a smaller airport

Southern California has excellent alternatives to LAX, and they’re often faster during the holidays:

• Hollywood Burbank (BUR) is convenient for the Valley, Pasadena and Glendale.
• Long Beach (LGB) is easy for the South Bay and Long Beach.
• John Wayne (SNA) in Santa Ana serves Orange County.
• Ontario International (ONT) is a smart choice for the Inland Empire and eastern San Gabriel Valley.

The smaller terminals mean shorter security lines and quicker pickups, which matters when you’re traveling with kids, older relatives or a lot of luggage. See our Los Angeles airport transportation services and Burbank Airport car service pages for more planning help.

Skip the parking and the rideshare scramble

Airport parking fills quickly over the holiday, and paying for five or six nights adds up. Rideshare pickups at LAX can also mean a shuttle ride and a long wait during the evening arrival rush. A pre-booked car service removes both problems: your chauffeur tracks your flight, adjusts for delays and is ready when you land, with room for every suitcase.

Welcoming family to LA?

If relatives are flying in, sending a car to the airport is one of the most thoughtful things you can do. You won’t have to leave the kitchen during the busiest cooking day of the year, and they’ll arrive relaxed instead of frazzled. A car service is also a safe choice for getting everyone home after a long Thanksgiving dinner.