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Gas prices impact on Canadians is becoming increasingly visible as rising fuel costs drive widespread concern and real changes in everyday behavior. With nine in ten Canadians worried about gas prices, many are adjusting how often they drive, how they travel, and even their summer vacation plans.
Key Takeaways
- Nine in ten Canadians are concerned about rising gas prices, with half extremely concerned
- Four in ten are driving less, while others are adjusting habits like fill-ups, transit use, and active transportation
- Summer travel is shifting closer to home, with fewer Canadians planning long-distance or international trips
Rising gas prices driven by global events are weighing heavily on Canadians, prompting widespread concern and noticeable changes to everyday behavior.
Our latest research finds that nine in ten Canadians are concerned about the price of gas, with half saying they are extremely concerned, underscoring how sharply fuel costs are being felt across the country. Results are consistent across the country.
This concern is most reflected in how many Canadians say they are adjusting their day‑to‑day routines. Four in ten report driving less, limiting either the number or the distance of trips they take in response to higher gas prices. Approximately one in ten say they are stretching their fill‑ups, buying smaller amounts of gas at a time, while a similar share report walking or biking more often or using public transit.
Changes to Behaviors Since Gas Prices Began to Rise Steeply in the Last Few Weeks
Summer Travel Intentions
Given current economic conditions and the increasing prices of gas and air travel, our latest survey also explored Canadians’ summer travel intentions.
Half say they are likely to take a vacation within their home province, pointing to an interest in closer‑to‑home travel. Fewer Canadians say they are likely to travel farther: about a quarter say they are likely to take a driving vacation to another province, and a similar proportion say they would consider flying to another province.
Fewer than three in ten plan to travel internationally this summer, with Canadians being more likely to take a vacation outside of Canada (but not to the United States – 28%), than they are to travel to the United States (17%). Atlantic Canadians are notably less likely than other Canadians to travel outside Canada for a summer vacation.
Likelihood of Taking Vacations This Summer
Top Box (7-10): 10=Extremely likely, 1=Not at all likely
Millennials stand out as more likely to be planning summer travel across a range of destinations, while older Canadians are consistently less likely to be considering longer‑distance trips, particularly those involving flights or international travel. Meanwhile, Gen Z are less likely to say they plan to vacation within their home province.
Results are from an online survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted between April 9-12, 2026 with 1,234 Canadians, 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s online Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2021 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution.
The Questions Asked
- QN1: The price of gas has changed notably in recent weeks due to world events. How concerned are you, if at all, about the price of gas?
- QN2: How, if at all, have you changed your behavior since gas prices began to rise steeply in recent weeks?
- QN3: How likely are you to take a vacation within your home province this summer?
- QN4r1-4: And how likely is it that you will take each of the following types of summer vacation this year?
- A driving vacation to another province in Canada
- A flying vacation to another province in Canada
- A vacation to the United States
- A vacation outside Canada (but not the United States)
Download a PDF version with data tables
FAQs
Many Canadians are driving less, limiting trips, stretching fill-ups, or turning to walking, biking, or public transit
Yes, but most are choosing closer-to-home vacations, with half planning to stay within their home province
Fewer than three in ten Canadians plan to travel internationally, with lower interest in travel to the United States compared to other destinations
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner, Narrative Research – 902.493.3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca or Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com.
Narrative Research is a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Narrative Research provides clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies.
