Even as gasoline prices stay high, Brenda Peterson-Smith is jumping behind the wheel more often — for business and for pleasure.

Even driving to Chicago is looking more and more appealing, as airline restrictions on carry-on baggage, time restrictions for check-ins and other factors continue to pile up.

With driving to Denver already on her regular circuit, road trips to the Windy City, St. Louis and other locales may not be far behind.

“It sounds stupid, but I like having my car so I can get around,” said Peterson-Smith, who travels for camping and for her business, as owner of Hair Experts Salon & Spa. “I listen to audio books. For me, the drive is a chance for someone to read a story to me.”

So far, at least, travelers haven’t appeared to change their travel plans much because of rising gasoline prices, pricey airline tickets or stringent baggage restrictions, said Jim Hanni, executive vice president for AAA Kansas. His region includes 10,000 members in Lawrence and another 135,000 members elsewhere in Kansas, outside the Kansas City metro area.

Major factors to be considered in making the fly-or-drive decision, he said, include cost, time and convenience.

Heading to Chicago, for example, costs $120 or $130 for direct, round-trip tickets from Kansas City International to O’Hare, he said. Even when factoring in prices for rental cars, mass transit and the time spent heading to the airport, checking bags and dealing with security, the benefits of driving typically don’t measure up.

“It’s so easy to fly, to go in for a long weekend,” he said.

Round-trip flights to Denver are more expensive: about $285 to $300, Hanni said. And while the prospect of a 16- or 17-hour road trip might sound daunting, it is a relatively straight trip down Interstate 70.

“A lot of people make that trip,” Hanni said. “It’s a straight shot across the state, and you don’t cross any other metro areas.”

That’s why it’s important to weigh what’s important for each individual traveler.

“There are other costs involved,” he said.

Peterson-Smith understands. She prefers to fly to business meetings, but isn’t fond of the latest enforcement of weight limits for baggage.

To stay under the 50-pounds-per-bag limit, Peterson-Smith had to unpack a jewelry case and notebook and stuff them into a carry-on bag. She already has to check her $2,000 worth of shears, scissors, razors, clippers and other equipment, which is another inconvenience.

She’s driven to Aberdeen, S.D., before, and she’s sure she’ll do it again.

“Unless it’s halfway across the county, I’ll drive,” she said. “It’s worth it.”