Busy Memorial Day travel weekend: Ways to make your trip easier

Higher fuel prices across the country are making travel this Memorial Day weekend more expensive. Traditionally one of the biggest travel weekends, many people are still expected to hit the road - especially to the beach. 

More than 39 million people will hit the road for Memorial Day travel this weekend as gas prices are their highest in four years.

On average, it takes $68 to fill up a 15-gallon tank, according to AAA.

Prices began rising ahead of the busy travel weekend. 

On Friday, May 22, the American Automobile Association [AAA] said the national average gas price is $4.55, up more than 20 cents since the end of April.

North Carolina's average price per gallon is lower than the national average, at $4.23, but drivers are still feeling the stretch. The average in Raleigh is at $4.26, an increase in the last week.  

Rising jet fuel costs are driving up airfare as well. It is changing what flights look like out of Raleigh. Delta announced it would be suspending some of its flights this summer.

This weekend, many are still expected to board flights for destinations around the world.

If you are flying this weekend, 5 On Your Side has some simple ways to help you navigate delays from security lines to the skies:

Get MyTSA app - It will show you in real time, how long the wait for both general TSA and Pre-Check is at whatever airport you are flying from. 

Check FlightAware’s “Misery Map” - It can help you track delays across the country. In the 24 hours before your trip, check your flight status directly on your airline’s website. If you can, look at where your plane is coming from, because even if the weather is clear here, delays somewhere else could impact your flight.

Download your airline’s app - Many apps show exactly where your incoming plane is and often provide more up-to-date departure times than the boards at the airport.

And with all the volatility of air travel you may be thinking about travelers insurance, it’s important to look at what is and is not covered, for example if you miss a flight due to a long TSA line that won’t be covered.