by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 4:20 PM ET, Mon September 22, 2025
Canadians are changing the way they travel this year, with fewer trips south of the border and more time spent on longer road journeys within Canada, according to new data from Turo.
The car-sharing platform analyzed more than 500,000 completed booking days and found that between May and July 2025, Canadian drivers spent nearly 20% fewer days travelling in the U.S. compared to the same period in 2024.
Statistics Canada recently reported a similar trend: return trips from the U.S. declined for the sixth consecutive month, according to a July report.
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The number of Canadian residents driving back across the border decreased to 1.3 million, representing a 33.1% decline compared to June 2024. The decrease in air travellers returning from the U.S. was not quite as dramatic, but still represented a steep decline, at 22.1%.
According to Turo, Canadians are extending their trips at home.
Between February and May, the average road trip lasted nearly five days, about 25% longer than the same period last year. Out-of-province travel days rose 17% year-over-year from April through July, with trips beginning in Atlantic Canada climbing almost 10% and those starting in Vancouver up 12%.
Calgary also emerged as a road trip hub. Out-of-province drivers were on the road there 35% more between April and July 2025 compared to the same time in 2024.
International travel demand declined, particularly among European visitors. In July, trips booked by drivers from Great Britain fell 20%, while those from France dropped 36% compared to last year.
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"Our data demonstrates that in 2025 Canadians aren't just choosing to stay closer to home," said Bassem El-Rahimy, Turo's Head of Canada. "Trips are getting longer, destinations broader, and local exploration is booming. As we head into fall and holiday travel, we expect to see road trips become the go-to way for Canadians to travel, as they balance costs and experience, whether for family gatherings or out-of-province escapes."
Turo’s analysis compared travel patterns between April and July 2024 and the same period in 2025, capturing shifting behaviours around U.S. travel and domestic exploration.
The company, a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace, is now available in major markets across most provinces, including a recent launch in Yukon. Turo also announced a new partnership with the AIR MILES Reward Program, giving Canadian travellers the ability to earn Miles on every booking made through the platform.
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