by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 4:25 PM ET, Tue July 21, 2026
A new survey from vehicle rental marketplace, Turo, shows that Canadian travellers are opting for road trips in a big way this summer. The Summer Road Trip Report, 2026 reveals that road trips account for more than half (55 percent) of Canadian summer travel plans, many (48 percent) setting out on the open road because they believe it to be a more cost-effective mode of transportation than flying. And while it may be more budget-friendly, these roadtrippers aren’t necessarily cheaping out. One in four Albertans, and one in six Ontario residents plan to spend more than $5,000 on their road trips this summer. On the other hand, just over a quarter (28 percent) of Ontarians are opting for shorter, closer to home getaways that will cost them less than $1,000.
The young folks are the ones driving the trend, with 18 percent of Gen Z respondents saying they will take at least four road trips this summer and they’ll be spending even more than Albertans, with 28 percent saying they will spend more than $5,000 on their trips.
Where will Canadians be travelling? The top spots listed are Banff, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Edward Island and Jasper. And we’re willing to buckle up for the long haul; the average Canadian road trip is 18 hours long. That’s a lot of time to be in a vehicle with your travelling companions, luckily Canadians are hitting the roads with the ones they love most: 62 percent will be travelling with their partner or spouse, while 28 percent will road trip with their children.
"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."
To view the full Turo Summer Road Trip Report ’26, visit: turo.com/ca/en/guest-canada-summer-road-report
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