No matter how much gas prices climb, or how high airlines raise their prices, people will always need to travel. And though many Americans are eliminating long-distance vacations and other unnecessary trips from their schedules and their budgets, personal obligations like weddings, funerals, college visits and business trips continue to keep Americans on the go nationwide.

Many people used to cut travel expenses by skipping the airport for the national highway system (back before gas prices essentially doubled). However, this is no longer the money-saving option it once was, and Americans everywhere have to get more and more creative when it comes to planning trips in order to keep the overall expense both reasonable and manageable. Unfortunately, climbing gas prices are not only affecting American motorists, but the entire airline industry is feeling the crunch. This has resulted in the emergence of fees and costs never before seen among airline travelers fees for checked bags and even carry-on's, and additional charges for drinks, snacks and meals on board. With all of these added fees (on top of higher ticket prices and fewer flights being scheduled across the board), air travel has become more expensive than ever.

But these primary forms of transportation are not unmanageable. Fuel efficient cars can help lighten the burden of a long distance drive, as can following simple tips like sticking to the speed limit, lightening the overall load you're hauling, and making sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. These kinds of tactics will help you maximize your fuel efficiency and get where you need to go without wasting gas (and therefore, money).

Similarly, smart shopping and practical planning will allow you to plan a trip by air that won't completely gouge your budget. One trick many people aren't aware of is shopping for airfare on midnight of the first night of the month (so, shopping at midnight on October 31 for travel in November) this is when airlines post their newest (and lowest) fares. These are usually snapped up by travel agencies before daybreak, but a savvy Internet shopper can find a great deal if they act quickly.

Another trick for purchasing air travel is to stick to extremes, shopping either several months in advance, or only days before (if not day-of). These are the times when tickets are most reasonably priced; if it's several months in advance, the demand for the tickets in question will likely not have peaked (which is when prices rise), while tickets bought the day of, or day before departure are usually discounted, since the airline is trying to sell off any unsold seats. Whatever you do, don't try to buy a plane ticket within 21 to three days of travel this is when tickets are at their most expensive. And once you do purchase a ticket, make sure to carefully read the fine print associated with additional fees if they require a fee for checked bags, try to stick to a carry-on. If they charge a fee for food during the flight, bring your own.

If neither the highways nor the airlines will get you where you need to go at a reasonable price, check out your options by rail while a bit pricey, train travel can be significantly more economical (albeit more time consuming) than either of the other two travel standards.