Millions of Americans packed the nation's airports, train stations and highways on Sunday as they headed home following the four-day Thanksgiving holiday.

More than 43 million people were expected to travel 80 kilometers or more to attend holiday gatherings between Wednesday and Sunday. Most of them were expected to drive, with fewer people flying than in previous years.

Favorable weather meant that few travel delays were reported.

The Thanksgiving holiday takes place on the fourth Thursday in November and is marked by family gatherings with sumptuous turkey feasts.

Tradition says the first American Thanksgiving occurred in 1621, with early North American settlers commemorating a harvest after a harsh winter.