Road trips dominate Canadian summer travel plans

Canadians are hitting the road in large numbers this summer, with road travel emerging as the preferred choice for vacations, family visits and weekend getaways, according to a new report from Turo.

The car-sharing marketplace’s Summer Road Trip Report 2026 found that 55 per cent of all Canadian summer travel between June and September will be by road, with many travellers planning multiple trips over the season.

The survey suggests road travel is being driven by a combination of affordability, flexibility and a desire for shared experiences. Nearly half of respondents, 48 per cent, said they are choosing to drive because it is more cost-effective than flying.

Canadians are not limiting themselves to a single road trip either. Seven in 10 road trippers reported having at least two trips planned this summer, while the average traveller expects to spend about 18 hours behind the wheel, equivalent to driving from Toronto to Halifax.

Among those travelling by road:

• 47 per cent plan to drive an SUV.
• 15 per cent expect to travel in a hybrid or electric vehicle.
• 62 per cent will travel with a partner or spouse.
• 28 per cent will travel with their children.

Popular destinations include Banff, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Edward Island and Jasper.

“Canadians aren’t just taking one road trip,” said Bassem El-Rahimy, vice-president of Turo Canada. “They’re planning multiple getaways, spending hours behind the wheel and, in many cases, budgeting thousands to do it.”

The report found younger Canadians are particularly enthusiastic about road travel.

Among Gen Z respondents:

• 18 per cent have four or more road trips planned.
• 28 per cent expect to spend more than $5,000 on summer travel, the highest of any age group.
• 16 per cent plan to visit a luxury destination.
• 21 per cent expect to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle.

The survey also found Gen Z travellers are more likely to combine road trips with other forms of travel rather than replacing them. Sixty per cent said they also plan to travel internationally this summer, compared with 27 per cent of baby boomers.

When looking by province, road-trip spending expectations differ significantly across Canada.

Albertans appear willing to spend the most, with one in four expecting to spend more than $5,000 on road trips this summer.

In Ontario, 16 per cent of respondents expect to spend more than $5,000, while 28 per cent plan to keep costs below $1,000 by taking shorter trips closer to home.

The findings suggest that geography, travel distances and local travel habits continue to influence how Canadians budget for vacation travel.

The survey also found that summer travel is being shaped as much by people and events as by destinations.

Nearly half of road trippers, 47 per cent, said visiting friends and family is a key reason for travel, while one-third plan to attend a festival, concert or major event.

Most travel will remain domestic:

• 66 per cent plan to travel within Canada.
• 72 per cent will take at least one trip within their own province.
• 53 per cent will visit another province.

The results indicate that road travel continues to play a central role in Canadian summer vacation plans, as travellers look for flexibility, affordability and opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

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