SUMMER ROAD TRIP REPORT ’26
How Canadians are travelling on their own terms this summer
Despite record fuel costs, a softened dollar, and soaring airfares, Canadians aren't staying home this summer. Rising costs are reshaping how Canadians travel, not whether they travel. Turo's Summer Road Trip Report '26, drawn from a survey of 2,073 Canadians, reveals a nation doubling down on the open road between June and September.
Economic pressure is leading Canadians to adapt their travel plans, not cancel them
Economic pressure isn’t stopping Canadians from travelling this summer, it’s redirecting them towards budget-friendly planning. Airfare costs have climbed, the Canadian dollar remains under pressure, and fuel costs are a constant headline. But rather than shelving their summer plans, Canadians are adapting.
68%
are adapting their plans,
not cancelling them
77%
plan to travel the same or more
this summer compared to last
89%
prefer budget or mid-range travel options, and road trips deliver exactly that
2 in 5
of those who are cutting back on travel expenses cite rising gas and flight costs as the reason
13%
plan to travel less this summer
Canadians are choosing road trips as a way to cut costs
Canadians are packing the car, mapping the route, and hitting the road on their own terms. The cherished Canadian road trip is defining travel this summer, offering an affordable option in the face of rising flight prices.
Canadian road trippers will be visiting:
When it comes to their road trip vehicle, nearly half of Canadian roadtrippers are choosing SUVs (47%) for their journey — practical for families, outdoor gear, and splitting costs with a group.
15% of road trippers will drive a hybrid or EV, led by Gen Zs at 21%
Gen Z is outspending & outtraveling all other generations this summer
Gen Z road trippers aren’t following the same playbook as older generations. They’re travelling more, spending more, going solo more often, and doing it all in greener vehicles. Far from being the generation priced out of summer, they’re outpacing everyone else on the road.
of Gen Zs plan to travel more than last summer (vs. 30% nationally)
have 4+ road trips planned this summer
of Gen Z Canadians will road trip to a major event, the highest of any generation
plan to travel alone, making Gen Z the most independent generation on the road
Despite economic and political friction, 43% of Canadians plan to travel internationally this summer. The younger the traveller, the more likely they are to travel internationally. Gen Z is leading the charge on travel outside of Canadian borders this summer.
Alberta leads the country in road trip spending
This summer’s road-trip budgets are shining a light on how much Canadians spend on their travel in general. Budgets vary significantly across the country, reflecting provincial culture, geography, and personal preference.
Alberta’s higher road-trip budgets reflect a travel culture shaped by the province’s vast geography and long distances between major centres.
In Ontario, where travellers tend to take shorter, more frequent trips close to home, 28% of road trippers are budgeting under $1k.
Two thirds of Canadians are travelling domestically this summer
This summer, Canadians are choosing to explore the most iconic spots in their own backyard. Banff and Toronto are the top destinations this year, but beyond the big-city anchors, Canadians are routing through provincial parks, lakeside villages, and peninsula trails — destinations that cost less, feel less crowded, and offer an unhurried summer getaway.
66%
of Canadians plan to stay within Canada this summer
72%
of Canadians are taking at least one trip within their own province
53%
of Canadians are taking at least one trip to another province
Canadian road trippers will be visiting:
Top outdoor road trip stopovers
