INDIANAPOLIS -- Even as gas prices crept toward $2.90 a gallon Thursday in central Indiana, residents appeared to be hitting the road and airways in high numbers for spring break travel and were planning ahead for summer vacations.

AAA said its 16 offices in central Indiana have been busy fielding calls for last-minute bookings, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"We're seeing business up considerably this year," said Suzanne DeCellis, of AAA. "I would say spring break alone is up about 30 percent over last year."

Some speculate that Hoosiers are eager to travel after a long, difficult winter in which a lot of snow fell.

Dustin Brumett is among those getting away for some fun in the sun.

"I'm going to the Cayman Islands," Brumett said. "I'm kind of tired of dealing with the every day issues of struggling to have money and everything. Luckily, I was blessed with an opportunity to go."

Weariness over economic issues is a common theme, but AAA is seeing signs that people are back in travel mode.

"There were so many things going on that everyone was afraid to plan," DeCellis said. "Now, we've been through a full year of this, and people are saying … 'Life goes on, and the family needs to get away.'"

There are some relative travel bargains to be had, especially for those willing to take road trips, visit all-inclusive resorts or go on cruises.

"Bargains are there, anywhere from $50 to $100 a day per person with everything pretty much included," DeCellis said.

Experts recommend using a travel agent to troll for good deals, or there are plenty of available resources online from deal sites such as Hotwire.com, Expedia.com and Travelocity.com.

To score a good deal, travelers should be willing to leave and arrive on off days, such as changing a Saturday trip to Monday or Tuesday.