"Gas prices are awesome right now," and that has more hitting the road this Christmas season

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Cheaper gas prices are saving consumers BIG bucks this Christmas season! More money in their pockets means more people are on the road.

AAA is projecting nearly two million Wisconsinites are going to be traveling at least 50 miles or so this holiday season.

The Pioneer Plaza in Richfield was busy on Christmas Day -- Thursday, December 25th, with the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day travelers.

From her perch behind the counter, Karen Baumgartner did her best to spread some Christmas cheer.

"I do this every year from Thanksgiving to Christmas, so get people in the spirit of things," Baumgartner said.

Many businesses lock up on Christmas Day -- but not the Pioneer Plaza.

"The most popular thing right now that people are getting are the coffees, cappuccinos or sodas or something to drink," Baumgartner said.

Baumgartner said warmer temperatures on Christmas Day (we saw highs in the 40s in the Milwaukee area) may have had more folks hitting the road.

"It's been nonstop since I started we opened up at eight. I've worked many Christmases before and it's been one of the busiest days of the year here," Baumgartner said.

Aaron Evans and his mom Dawn stopped in on their way to Illinois to celebrate with his wife's family.

"Usually we don't travel as much. This is the first time actually traveling for Christmas," Evans said.

Evans pointed out something many have noticed this holiday season.

"Gas prices are awesome right now! I love it," Evans said.

AAA is predicting a higher percentage of travelers will road trip this holiday season than in 2013. Might those falling gas prices play a role in pushing some to get behind the wheel?

"A whole lot. Probably a little bit easier than airfare prices I would think," Baumgartner said.

AAA also says the average national gas price is about seventy cents cheaper than it was at this time last year.