Canadians are expected to spend an average of 18 hours behind the wheel this summer as road travel accounts for more than half of all summer trips, according to a new report released by car rental marketplace Turo.
The company’s Summer Road Trip Report ’26 found that 55 per cent of Canadian travel between June and September will be by road, while seven in 10 road trippers plan to take at least two trips over the season. The findings also suggest many travellers are prepared to spend thousands of dollars on those trips despite choosing to drive.
The report points to road travel as the preferred option for many Canadians this summer, with cost, flexibility and multiple short getaways shaping travel plans. Nearly half of respondents said they are driving because it is more cost-effective than flying, while the survey also found that Canadians are planning repeat trips rather than a single vacation.
Among road travellers, 48 per cent said they are choosing to drive because it is more cost-effective than flying. Seven in 10 respondents have at least two road trips planned, while 47 per cent expect to travel in an SUV. Another 15 per cent plan to use a hybrid or electric vehicle.
The survey identified Banff, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Edward Island and Jasper among the most popular road trip destinations this summer.
Most Canadians also expect to travel with family members. The report found that 62 per cent plan to road trip with a partner or spouse, while 28 per cent will travel with their children.
The survey found younger Canadians are planning more frequent trips and higher travel spending than other age groups.
Among Generation Z respondents, 18 per cent said they have four or more road trips planned this summer, while 28 per cent expect to spend more than $5,000 on summer travel, the highest proportion among the generations surveyed.
The report also found that 16 per cent of Gen Z road trippers intend to visit a luxury destination, while 21 per cent plan to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, compared with the national average of 15 per cent.
In addition to domestic travel, 60 per cent of Gen Z respondents said they expect to travel internationally this summer, compared with 27 per cent of baby boomers.
Provincial spending expectations also varied across the country.
One in four Albertans surveyed said they expect to spend more than $5,000 on road trips this summer. In Ontario, 16 per cent said they expect to spend more than $5,000, while 28 per cent of Ontario road trippers said they plan to keep spending below $1,000 by taking shorter trips closer to home.
The report suggests personal connections and events are key drivers of travel decisions this summer.
Nearly half of respondents said they are travelling to visit friends and family, while one in three plans to attend a major event or festival. The survey also found that 66 per cent intend to travel within Canada, with 72 per cent planning at least one trip within their home province and 53 per cent expecting to visit another province.
“We expected road trips to play a big role in Canadians’ summer travel plans this year, but what surprised us was the sheer scale,” said Bassem El-Rahimy, Vice President of Turo Canada. “Canadians aren’t just taking one road trip. They’re planning multiple getaways, spending hours behind the wheel and, in many cases, budgeting thousands to do it. That tells us this isn’t necessarily about finding a cheaper way to travel. It’s about choosing a better one.”
In an interview with Retail Insider, El-Rahimy discussed the trend.
Question: Your research suggests road trips are no longer just a budget alternative to flying. What’s driving this shift, and do you think it’s a lasting change in Canadians’ travel habits?
Answer: With flight costs at an all time high, costs are no doubt playing a big part in the kind of travel Canadians are choosing this summer. That said, the benefits of roadtripping are equally playing into Canadians’ travel decisions. Roadtripping gives you much more flexibility, allows you to visit places you never would be able to by plane alone, and there’s nothing better than your favourite playlist and the feeling of the open road.
Q: Gen Z is taking more road trips and spending more than any other generation. What do you think explains that behaviour, especially at a time when affordability is such a concern?
A: Travel is clearly a priority for Gen Z. Our research shows they’re travelling more than any other generation, and they’re also the most likely to travel for festivals, concerts and major sporting events. They’re willing to spend on experiences that matter to them. What’s interesting is they’re not just taking bigger trips, they’re taking more trips. Between multiple road trips and international travel, it’s adding up to higher overall travel spending this summer.
Q: The data shows big regional differences, particularly between Alberta and Ontario. What do those spending patterns tell you about how Canadians are adapting their travel plans in different parts of the country?
A: Our research shows that Canadians are adapting to affordability pressures in ways that make sense for where they live. In Alberta, we’re seeing more people planning higher-budget road trips, which likely reflects the longer distances between destinations and the fact that many of Canada’s iconic road trip experiences—like the Rockies, Banff and Jasper—often involve longer journeys. In Ontario, we’re seeing more travellers keeping their road trip budgets under $1,000 by taking shorter getaways closer to home. So while the budgets differ, the underlying trend is the same: Canadians aren’t giving up on travel, they’re adjusting how they travel to make it work for their budgets.
Q: With more Canadians planning multiple road trips this summer, what trends are you seeing in the types of vehicles they’re choosing, and how is demand for SUVs, EVs, and hybrids evolving?
A: SUVs continue to be the vehicle of choice for Canadian road trips, with nearly half of travellers planning to drive one this summer. That makes sense because they offer the space and flexibility people need for everything from camping gear to family vacations and longer road trips.
At the same time, we’re seeing growing interest in hybrids and EVs. Nationally, 15 per cent of Canadians plan to road trip in one this summer, but that jumps to 21 per cent among Gen Z travellers. It suggests younger Canadians are embracing more fuel-efficient and electric options, whether it’s to reduce fuel costs, lower their environmental impact, or simply because they’re more comfortable adopting new vehicle technologies.
Q: As we head into the second half of the summer travel season, what are you expecting to see in terms of booking trends, travel spending, and consumer behaviour, and what should retailers and tourism businesses be watching?
A: We expect travel demand to stay strong through the rest of the summer, but Canadians will continue to be very intentional value-conscious. They’re taking multiple road trips, staying closer to home, and making deliberate choices about where they spend their money. For tourism operators and retailers, that’s a signal that people are still eager to travel, they’re just looking for experiences that deliver good value. Businesses that can make travel feel easy, flexible and affordable will be best positioned to benefit.
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