Look, listen before you drive or fly

Travelers planning to head out of the Las Vegas Valley over the Christmas weekend should prepare ahead of time, whether they are driving or flying.

Unless you are headed to Mount Charleston or Europe, there may be no need to plan at all. Deer Creek Road and Kyle Canyon Road remained closed Tuesday afternoon because of downed power lines. Lee Canyon Road was open for skiers with chains. And, well, the folks at London Heathrow Airport continue to struggle to clear their runways and are expecting yet another storm.

Other than that, motorists traveling to Arizona and planning to use the new Hoover Dam bridge, expect some delays accessing the bridge. Boulder City residents said Highway 93 leading to the state border backs up all the way to town during busy weekends.

Wherever motorists might be traveling, this is a good number to memorize: 511. From your cell phone, the number will provide road conditions in the state in which you are driving.

Travelers whose getaway might be in snowbound areas such as Lake Tahoe, check out the California Department of Transportation's website at dot.ca.gov. The agency posts cameras along all the major highways, giving motorists a live view of road conditions and traffic.

Weather advisories are also available by phone: 1-800-427-7623.

Road conditions for Nevada can be found at nevadadot.com.

McCarran International Airport representatives ask travelers to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport. Flyers can do that by logging onto mccarran.com or checking with their airline.

Along with the long-standing security rules such as carrying liquid containers no larger than 3 ounces and placing them in one-quart plastic bags, the Transportation Security Administration officials also ask that you not pack wrapped packages.

To get information on parking availability, motorists can call 261-5122. Maps and directions to various parking lots can be found at mccarran.com.

Airport parking options include the long-term garage, which costs a maximum of $14 a day; valet parking, which is a maximum of $21 a day; the remote lot for a maximum of $15 a day or the economy lot, which tops out at $8 a day.

There are a couple of public transportation options. Travelers can park for free at the Regional Transportation Commission's South Strip Transit Station on Gilespie Road just south of Sunset Road and take Route 109 north, about a 10-minute jaunt to McCarran.

The newest alternative is the Westcliff Airport Express, which departs from the Suncoast hotel-casino and the Westcliff Transit Center on Westcliff and Durango drives. The trip is free until Dec. 24. To check out the express schedule, log onto rtcsnv.com.

Parking at both park-and-ride facilities is limited.

Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.