President-elect Barack Obama says he choked up a little bit when he left his empty house before flying to Washington.

Obama spoke briefly to reporters aboard a government 757 before taking off en route to Andrews Air Force Base. His family went to Washington on Saturday and left him to wander around his Hyde Park home alone.

He said he found a photo album one of his daughter's friends left for the future first family and teared up when he looked through pictures.

Obama also said he wasn't looking forward to living in a hotel for the two weeks before he's allowed to move into his new home. He says he's lived in hotels during two years on the campaign trail.

Before takeoff, Obama ordered a cheeseburger with fries for his in-flight meal.