As summer comes to an end, heartland travelers have plenty of good reasons to take a vacation. Lower gas prices are just one reason AAA is reporting an increase in fall travel.

Good weather, smaller crowds and cheaper airfare are also contributing to the number of fall vacations, but those gas prices are hard to ignore.

Just within the last month, AAA Nebraska reports a 36-cent drop in gas prices across the state. Similar figures nationwide are leading to cheaper airline tickets and 23 percent more flights than last year booked between September and November.

Marylee Stobbe and her family are busy planning their fall vacation. They take off on their way to Disney World in less than a week, and Stobbe says it is not by accident.

"Just because it's not peak season and I didn't want to go in peak season," Stobbe said. "According to the books it should be really low right now."

Rose White of AAA Nebraska says the books are right.

"Minimal lines certainly means you are going to get more for your money if you are paying admission to that park," White said.

Savings on airfare also make the trip well worth it.

"In fact, fall airfare rates are substantial right now, (due to) the discounts. We have seen round trip rates as low as $129 to some places in Florida," White said.

AAA also recommends trips to Colorado this time of year. There are some good deals available and ski resorts are not as busy as they will be in a few months.