As thousands of Southern Californians returned home at the end of a two week vacation period, LAX and the freeway from Las Vegas to the California state line appeared to be the two choke points at midafternoon today.
At 2 p.m., Los Angeles Airport police advised there was “gridlock traffic” on both the lower arrival and upper departure loop roadways at the airport, presumably with holiday travelers leaving from or returning to California.
Freeway traffic services reported Interstate 15 was jammed from just outside Las Vegas to Primm, Nev., where the southbound freeway narrows from three to two lanes.
A slight backup was reported at Barstow, where the 15 and 40 freeways merge together. But it was clear sailing on the rest of the 15, particularly compared to some of the epic “Barstow backups” reported in years past.
U.S. 101 from Santa Barbara, Interstate 5 over the Grapevine and Interstate 10 from the Coachella Valley were apparently flowing at normal speeds at midafternoon, according to two freeway Internet traffic services. No major backups were indicated on freeways in Orange and San Diego counties.
Roads to and from mountain resorts like Wrightwood, Big Bear, Idyllwild and Julian were jammed with snow play enthusiasts, the CHP reported. But all major roads were open and clear of chain controls.
