Rising gas prices impact summer travel for nearly 7 in 10 Ontario residents

Many Ontario residents plan to cut back on summer road trips due to rising gas prices.

Nearly seven in ten Ontarians aged 35 to 54 say gas prices are affecting their recreational activities and vacation plans, with many scaling back or rethinking how they spend their time off, according to a new survey from not-for-profit automobile association, CAA South Central Ontario.

Gas hikes accelerated after the U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran started in February.

Prices were over $1.70 per litre in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton this week as tensions flared over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The CAA said for many people, gas prices around $2.10 per litre represent a tipping point when driving habits and travel decisions begin to shift. Among those planning road trips, nearly six in ten say rising gas prices will influence their plans, often resulting in fewer trips, closer destinations or tighter budgets.

While summer is typically a time for travel and recreation, rising fuel costs are making it harder for families to fully participate in the activities they enjoy.

“Families are doing their best to preserve important moments like vacations and day trips, but affordability pressures are forcing more careful planning,” said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president, government and community relations for CAA South Central Ontario.

Beyond summer travel, seven-in-ten Ontarians aged 35 to 54 say rising gas prices are affecting their day-to-day activities, the survey found.

“For many Ontario families, higher gas prices aren’t just affecting how often they fill up the tank; they’re changing everyday decisions about where they go, what they buy and how they spend their money,” Di Felice said.

Many households report driving less, cutting back on discretionary spending and reducing small but regular purchases such as takeout meals and coffee to manage rising costs. For many Ontario residents, driving is a necessity.

“When fuel costs rise, it affects everything from commuting to grocery runs and adds to the financial strain households are already feeling,” Di Felice said.

The CAA offers some tips to stretch fuel budgets:

• Plan the most efficient route for summer road trips and avoid backtracking and unnecessary mileage.
• Remove extra weight from your vehicle. Reducing your vehicle’s weight can help improve fuel efficiency when on trips.
• Avoid leaving your rooftop luggage carriers or bike racks on your vehicles when you are not using them. Items on top of the car significantly increase aerodynamic drag, reducing fuel economy.
• Control your speed. Fuel consumption starts to increase above 90-105 km/h. For long stretches of road ahead, use cruise control to maintain your speed to save fuel.
• Drive conservatively. If you find yourself stuck in long weekend traffic, avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking, which can lower fuel economy by 15 to 30 per cent at highway speeds and 10 to 40 per cent in stop-and-go traffic.
• Keep up with regular car maintenance. Under-inflated tires increase fuel consumption by up to four per cent. With regular maintenance services, you can help your vehicle run more efficiently.

Lead photo: Vyacheslav Bobin