SAFETY FIRST, TRAVELERS ADVISED : HOLIDAY WILL BOOST TRAFFIC, WAITING TIME.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

With clear skies and a long holiday weekend ahead, Southern California residents are expected to set out in droves for their favorite vacation spots despite the perennial Fourth of July traffic jams on the area's major highways.

``I'll spend about five hours in the car, but the rest in a boat,'' said Chuck Glomboski, who finished last-minute errands at the Automobile Club of Southern California in Woodland Hills on Wednesday. He planned to leave for Lake Havasu in Arizona today.

Sgt. Ernie Garcia of the California Highway Patrol had some advice for Glomboski and other holiday travelers.

Get an early start and don't travel between noon and 10 p.m. Thursday, generally believed to be the peak traveling hours, he said.

And to avoid fatigue and traffic accidents, drivers should get plenty of rest and make sure their automobiles are in good condition, he said.

Highways leading to such popular vacation spots as Las Vegas, Palm Springs, California beach resorts and Southern California amusement parks are expected to suffer the heaviest holiday congestion, Garcia said.

At least gasoline is cheaper this year.

The Auto Club said the average price of unleaded gasoline is $1.36 a gallon - 19 cents less than this time last year.

For those who want to fly, airport officials warn travelers that heightened security makes it necessary to be at the airport at least one full hour before the departure times of domestic flights and two hours before international flights.

Those traveling internationally will be treated to a $14 million renovation at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.

On Wednesday, Mayor Richard Riordan, former Mayor Bradley and others showcased remodeling that includes a grand staircase, additional passenger seating and 35,000 square feet of new retail shops, food and beverage concessions.

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PHOTO Mayor Richard Riordan and former Mayor Tom Bradley stop in at McDonald's during a tour Wednesday of the renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.

Bob Halvorsen/Daily News