Travelers seemed to be moving fairly smoothly toward their destinations yesterday with few major hiccups on what was expected to be the second-busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

BWI Marshall Airport spokesman Jonathan Dean said things had "gone splendidly" for the 72,000 passengers anticipated to move through the gates and terminals yesterday.

"There has not been any significant delays," he said.

Some flights to Atlanta and Chicago were backed up because of weather, and others headed to airports around New York City were delayed because of heavy traffic, according to the Federal Aviation Administration Web site.

Things were calm at the nation's train stations as well. "Overall it has been a very busy period with minimal delays with a few exceptions around the country," said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham in an e-mail.

Those who hit the road after their meals of gratitude saw congestion at toll plazas but no major problems.

Maryland State Police Sgt. Christopher Tideberg of the Kennedy Highway barracks in Cecil County described traffic as "heavy but moving."

"We had a lot of minor accidents," he said. "I thought it'd be worse."

Other years have been heavier, but this year, "for some reason it's moving," he said.

liz.kay@baltsun.com