For some travelers who have grown wearily accustomed to delays at New York-area airports, the dreaded Thanksgiving rush turned into a pleasant surprise.

Not all were so lucky — average delays grew to as long as two hours at some of the area’s three, congestion-plagued major airports. But here and nationwide, holiday travel has been relatively smooth. Some trains were sold out, and light snow slowed traffic in Denver, but short airport lines and few major delays surprised people around the country on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Used to delays in her holiday travels, Dionne Fawcett waited apprehensively at LaGuardia Airport Wednesday for a flight to Dallas, where she planned to spend the holiday with relatives and friends. But her afternoon flight left on time.

Ms. Fawcett was fortunate. By evening, delays at LaGuardia averaged slightly more than two hours. Backups were minimal early Thursday at LaGuardia, as well as John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty international airports, according to Federal Aviation Administration data.

Solomon Lopez was among the unlucky. He was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles out of Newark Wednesday afternoon, but his flight was behind schedule. “I’m stuck here for another six hours,” he said.

Surveys indicated a record 38.7 million American residents were likely to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday between Wednesday and Sunday, up about 1.5% over last year, according to the AAA auto club.

Nearly 80% of all holiday travelers were expected to go by car, AAA said. The rails were also busy — Amtrak said several trains were sold out Wednesday. The railroad expected more than 115,000 riders for the day, about a 70% increase over a usual Wednesday, spokesman Cliff Cole said.

New York’s Pennsylvania Station was teeming with travelers by rush hour, and the subways that feed into the area were packed with commuters — and luggage — heading out for the holiday. The trains were so crowded that arguments broke out between passengers pushing for more space.

Kelly Shea, 23, of Philadelphia waited amid the crowds for her sister so the two could travel upstate to Saratoga Springs for the weekend. She made the same trip last year and said it was much more crowded, as well as delayed. This year, her train was leaving on time.

“I’m finding it pleasant this year. I’m having a good time and excited to go home,” she said.

At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, lines at the gates for the Greyhound, Trailways, and Peter Pan lines grew longer as commuters left work for the weekend.

Jason Butler, 37, made a last-minute decision to visit his girlfriend in Paul Smiths, north of Lake Placid.

Mr. Butler said he chose the bus because “it would have cost me double to drive,” and planes and trains were sold out.