Dallas Fort Worth International Airport turned into a sea of headlights and stalled traffic on Thanksgiving Eve, as travelers in record numbers packed the airport roadways. Video from the scene shows long lines of red taillights stretching far beyond the terminals, capturing the overwhelming rush of holiday passengers trying to beat the holiday crunch.

With more than 269,000 travelers expected to pass through the airport in a single day, DFW is preparing for an estimated 3 million passengers between November 20 and December 2. This year marks the busiest holiday travel period in 15 years, according to FAA data, driven by a nationwide spike in travel and families returning to traditional holiday patterns.

The pressure on the system was already mounting before the evening rush. Earlier in the week, thunderstorms sweeping across North Texas caused more than 600 delays, leaving airlines scrambling to recover as travelers poured in. Ongoing construction at DFW only compounded the gridlock, with reduced lanes, rerouted traffic, and bottlenecks that tested the patience of thousands of drivers.

Despite the chaos, airport officials say they are doing everything possible to manage the surge—deploying extra personnel, adjusting traffic flows, and coordinating with airlines to keep passengers moving. As one of the largest airport hubs in the world, DFW often absorbs national travel spikes, but this year’s Thanksgiving crush has pushed the system to its limits.

For millions of American families, the holiday journey may be slow and stressful, but the determination to reunite with loved ones remains stronger than the gridlock. As the travel period continues, airports across the country are bracing for more of the same, with DFW serving as the most dramatic example of just how massive this year’s holiday season has become.