Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer, and this year the roads figure to be as busy as ever as summer travel picks up.

Travelers concerned about the prospect of sitting in traffic jams this Memorial Day weekend can heed several tips to ensure their weekends are more fun than frustrating. They include avoiding peak travel times, expecting the trip to take longer than planned, planning ahead to avoid surprises or problems, and considering a local destination.

The easiest way to find oneself stuck in Memorial Day traffic is to hit the road during peak travel times. Many people have embraced the trend of leaving early for holiday weekend travel, so the roads may be busier than drivers would expect on Thursday afternoon and evening. If it is possible, drivers can hit the road prior to 3 p.m. on the Thursday before the holiday. If work and kids' school schedules make that impossible, departure should be delayed until late Thursday night or before the sun rises on Friday morning. Late at night or very early in the morning might not make for the most accommodating travel time, but roads tend to be the least congested at these times.

Travelers should expect the trip to take longer than planned. Delays are possible, even if traveling during off-peak hours. Recognition of that can make traffic jams or flight delays a little easier to manage. Parents can prepare kids for delays by letting them know in advance that some setbacks are possible. Expected delays should be built into the itinerary, so people are not stressing out about missing anything. If travelers experience no delays, then the weekend begins that much sooner.

It is important to do one's part to avoid surprises or problems that can be anticipated. When traveling by air, travelers should confirm everything they need to get through security and onto the plane as quickly as possible. Travelers should make sure passports and other forms of identification are current. Bags should be packed wisely so there are no surprises at check-in time. The more details tended to in advance of departure, the less stressful the travel day will be.

Travelers should also consider a local destination. Another way to beat crowds is to avoid joining them. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration estimates that roughly 40% of the American population lives in coastal communities. That means more than 120 million Americans can drive to coastal areas without having to traverse potentially congested highways and interstates. Stay local for busy travel weekends like Memorial Day and reserve longer trips for other times of the year when fewer people are on the road.

Memorial Day travel is historically heavy. Savvy vacationers can employ various strategies to avoid the crowds this year.