Summer road trips take a back seat as Atlantic Canadians face high gas prices: survey

Two people are pictured in a car. (CTV file photo)

Four-in-five Atlantic Canadian drivers – or 79 per cent – are cancelling or limiting road trips this summer, according to a new survey from the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC).

Most respondents, 87 per cent, say they still plan to take at least one day or overnight road trip.

Gas prices in Canada have been fluctuating and increasing with the war in Iran and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Prices have increased in the Maritimes, too.

The price of self-serve gas in the Halifax area was at a minimum of 191.7 cents per litre on Friday, with the price of diesel at a minimum of 215.5 cents per litre.

In P.E.I., the minimum price of regular self-serve gas and diesel increased to 196.5 cents and 231 cents per litre, respectively.

New Brunswick saw the price of self-serve gas reach a new maximum of 191.3 cents per litre and the price of diesel reaching 225.9 cents per litre.

TRAC found 76 per cent of Atlantic Canadians believe the high gas prices represent the “new normal.”

Shifting preferences will also keep travellers close to home this summer, with the report finding 57 per cent are opting to travel within their home province. Forty-one per cent plan to visit another province.

Over half of Atlantic Canadian travellers cancelled cross-border trips last year, with only 10 per cent of respondents saying they’ll head to the United States this year.

The data also found many overlook tire inflation and maintenance, which TRAC says can help save fuel and reduce costs.

“Atlantic Canadians understand tire maintenance but aren’t acting on it,” reads a statement from the TRAC. “With fuel costs top of mind, drivers are missing an immediate, no-cost way to save money.”

TRAC points out that proper tire inflation saves fuel and is essential to vehicle safety. However, their survey found just 38 per cent of drivers with a digital tire-pressure display check their pressure regularly.

The amount is much lower for drivers without a digital display, with only 18 per cent checking their tire pressure monthly, as recommended by tire makers.

Drivers who are less consistent with checking tire pressure may see reduced fuel economy, shorter tire life, and higher operating costs.

TRAC surveyed 1,000 Canadian drivers between April 6 and 14, 2025 using a national online panel. It says a probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20.