Gas prices soaring: How to save at the pump ahead of Memorial Day travel

Gas prices are soaring across the country and in North Carolina. WRAL is tracking the changes to gas prices daily to help central North Carolina drivers better balance their household budgets.

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.

This year marks the first time in four years that the national average has exceeded $4 a gallon.

Let’s break down how much prices have gone up since the start of the war. 

Just after the war began, the average cost in Raleigh was $2.83 a gallon. In March, it was up to $3.80 a gallon. On April 16, it was $3.90, and on April 30 it was $4.30.

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

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

Save at the pump by filling up on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (prices go up on weekends because of higher demand).

You can also tighten your gas cap to prevent gas evaporation and remember to change your air filter every six months. Additionally, make sure you don't ignore a check engine light.

 WRAL News spoke with drivers about how higher prices at the pump affect their bottom line. 

"I’m at $70 to fill my car up - literally," Charla Outlaw said. "I’ve started taking pictures of it because people tell me there’s no way. And I’m like, yeah, it’s really $70 to fill my car up, and that’s unbelievable."

The soaring cost of crude oil is causing the prices you pay at the pump to rise. Earlier this month, price of brent crude oil surged past $125 a barrel. Tensions have risen over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy waterway that Iran still has in a chokehold.

Nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Gas prices already rise during the spring and summer months. GasBuddy predicts that this summer, we could see historic prices at $5 or $6 a gallon if the Strait remains closed.

"The longer it remains closed, the longer the world is choked off of 20 million barrels of oil that are needed every day," Patrick DeHaan of Gas Buddy said. "That's why the Strait is such a significant piece and probably the largest thing being talked about today."

It's not just gas prices that could be impacted, especially because DeHaan said diesel prices are skyrocketing almost twice as quickly as gas.

"Unfortunately, diesel and jet fuel prices could mean that your next trip to the grocery store or the next trip you book could get more expensive as well," De Haan said. 

Search your ZIP code at the link above to find affordable gas near you.

DeHaan said buying gas from wholesale stores, like BJ's or Costco, can be helpful, but there is a catch.

"They take different strategies, but sometimes they hold it lower for hours or maybe a day or two, but their cost is going up dramatically," DeHaan said. "So they're going to feel a lot of pressure to raise their prices, especially as people are filling up with a lot of that lower-priced gasoline ... a lot of Americans should do the calculations if they're to fill up at those wholesale clubs."

If you don't have a membership to a wholesale club, it's worth a look if there is one near you that you plan to use often.

A lot of the time, they can nearly offset the cost of membership if they're going to fill up there the majority of the time," DeHaan said. "But there are also longer lines that you have to consider as well."

Consumer Reports has 10 tips to make the most out of a tank of gas, including keeping your tank full so you're not forced to buy the first gas you stumble upon when the tank gets low or during severe weather.

Matt McClain with Gas Buddy said driving slowly is one of the best ways to save gas.

"The best thing we can do that we can control ourselves is slow down on the highways," McClain said. "Drive the speed limit. You'll save 25% to 35% in fuel efficiency. That's a very big deal, especially if you are known for driving a really lead foot and you go a lot faster than the speed limit. That's costing you money."

AAA recommends drivers turn off their cars if they will be stopped for more than 60 seconds and if it is safe to do so, which could include waiting at a stoplight, in a carpool line or at a drive-thru. Many newer cars have automatic engine stop-start systems that turn off after a minute.

For every 15 minutes of idling, you can burn a quarter gallon of gas, AAA said, but a warm engine only takes around 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. If you're sitting in the carpool for 30 minutes, that's a half a gallon.

Instead of waiting at a drive-thru, park and go inside the restaurant to order, experts recommend.

Finally, while it may be tempting to warm up the car when it's cold, resist the urge. To save fuel, start the engine and then drive the car normally to warm the engine to operating temperature more rapidly.

Other gas conservation tips from the pros include carpooling, removing excess weight from your vehicle, ensuring its tires are properly maintained, following the speed limit and avoiding aggressive driving, like accelerating and stopping quickly.