We all know that the price of petroleum fuel is on the rise. So if you want to save for gifts and such things for the holiday season, it would be better to just stay home. But AAA Chicago reported that more Americans will be traveling this year during the holiday season than last year.

Millions of Americans will be making trips more than 50 miles from home. Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago's director of public affairs, had this to say according to The Auto Channel: "Whether driving or flying, Americans face steep increases in their travel budgets during this holiday season. Fuel prices remain at unprecedented levels for this time of year with prices around three dollars a gallon and the airfare has increased 16 percent since last year."

The group also pointed out that the price of gasoline in average in Illinois and Indiana as well as for the rest of the country as a whole are quite high. "Holiday auto travelers will find gas prices nationwide currently averaging $2.99 for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline-up 69 cents from last year. Illinois motorists will pay an average of $3.04 per gallon - up 73 cents from last year, and Indiana drivers will pay $2.97 per gallon, a 72-cent increase from last season," reads the report.

It is expected that 62.5 million Americans will be traveling this season. Of that number, about 53 million will be traveling by automobiles. And that would translate to a large number of vehicles on the road. And that, in turn, will lead to a bigger risk of getting into a vehicular accident. AAA Chicago advises motorists to drive responsibly. "Slowing down or moving over near accident scenes, or where roadside assistance vehicles are stopped along the shoulder, can help keep emergency responders and motorists safe during the holiday travel season," said Mosher.