Like many people, Augustana student Crystal Pettit is gearing up for a trip this weekend.

"I try to get home for Mother's Day every year," Crystal says. "Or as often as I can lately it's been like once a month this year so."

For Crystal, a trip to see mom on Mother's Day means driving 150 miles south to Herman, Nebraska.

Crystal drives an SUV that gets about 17 miles per gallon, so with an average price of $3.61 a gallon in South Dakota, this year's trek will cost her $63.53.

Last year's average of $3.07 a gallon means the same trip cost Crystal $54.03. The 2006 average of $2.50 a gallon cut the price to $44.00, almost twenty dollars cheaper than the trip she's preparing for now.

"Wow. that's nice," Crystal says.

Jeff Wells works in Sioux Falls and also plans to see his mom on Sunday.

"Yep, a yearly trek," he says. "Try to go there every year."

Jeff has a little bit farther to go, 183 miles northeast to Mankato, Minnesota. But he gets much better gas mileage, 28 mpg to be exact, in his vehicle. Still, the trip will still cost him $46.93 this year. Compare that to $42.98 a year ago and $35.00 in 2006.

"That's a big difference," Jeff says. "It's incredibly ridiculous."

Those we spoke to say the high price of gas is causing them to cut back on their daily driving, but they say it won't stop them from filling up their tanks to see mom.

"It's quite a bit of money," Jeff says. "But it's worth it to go home for certain occasions."

Kent Erdahl: "You won't ask mom for a little gas money will you?"

Crystal Pettit: "No, actually it would be asking dad for gas money."