How rising gas prices are impacting travel, spending

Higher fuel prices are increasingly affecting household budgets across Ontario, with many drivers reducing travel, cutting discretionary spending and rethinking summer vacation plans, according to a new survey.

CAA South Central Ontario found that seven in 10 Ontarians aged 35 to 54 say rising gas prices are affecting their day-to-day activities.

Higher prices at the pump are contributing to broader affordability challenges, CAA noted, prompting many households to drive less and scale back spending on non-essential items. Respondents reported cutting purchases such as takeout meals, coffee and other discretionary expenses in an effort to offset transportation costs.

“For many Ontario families, higher gas prices aren’t just affecting how often they fill up the tank, they’re changing everyday decisions about where they go, what they buy and how they spend their money,” said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice-president of government and community relations at CAA SCO.

The survey suggested higher fuel costs are also influencing how Ontarians approach summer travel and recreation.

Nearly seven in 10 respondents aged 35 to 54 said gas prices are affecting vacation plans and recreational activities. Among those planning road trips, almost six in 10 said rising fuel prices will influence their plans, often resulting in fewer trips, shorter distances or tighter travel budgets.

CAA said many consumers view gasoline prices of around $2.10 per litre as a point where driving habits begin to change significantly.

“Families are doing their best to preserve important moments like vacations and day trips, but affordability pressures are forcing more careful planning,” Di Felice said.

CAA pointed out that the findings demonstrate how fuel costs continue to affect household finances at a time when many Canadians are already facing broader cost-of-living pressures.

“Transportation is a daily necessity for many Ontarians, not a luxury,” Di Felice said. “When fuel costs rise, it affects everything from commuting to grocery runs and adds to the financial strain households are already feeling.”

Alongside the survey results, CAA encouraged motorists to adopt fuel-saving practices such as planning more efficient routes, reducing unnecessary vehicle weight, maintaining proper tire inflation and avoiding aggressive driving habits to improve fuel economy.

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