A majority of Ontarians (64 per cent) surveyed in a recent poll by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) say rising fuel prices have impacted road trip plans this summer.
The CAA South Central Ontario survey revealed that gas prices exceeding more than $2 per litre is making it difficult for respondents to rationalize hitting the road, with 76 per cent of those surveyed saying they have a road trip planned within the province this year.
Twenty-six per cent of those surveyed say they are planning an out-of-province road trip, while 23 per cent are planning to drive to the U.S.
The survey polled 1,697 respondents through a CAA Member Matters Panel in South Central Ontario from May 27 to June 5.
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The CAA says that while some are limiting the number of trips they take or driving shorter distances, some travellers are actively making plans with gas prices in mind.
Others, they say, are adjusting their budget to accommodate fuel prices during their trip.
“We recommend you plan routes ahead of time and share them with someone, bring a map as a backup to your GPS, and check the weather ahead of time,” Kaitlynn Furse, director of corporate communications at CAA South Central Ontario, said.
“We recommend a daily driving maximum of 800 km per day with 15-minute breaks every two hours to ensure you are well rested before you get behind the wheel.”
The CAA offered some fuel-saving tips, such as not starting your car beforehand, avoiding “jack-rabbit” starts and hard braking and using cruise control when possible.
Inflation skyrockets to highest level in nearly 40 years as gas prices soar
Soaring gas prices helped the annual inflation rate in May soared to its highest level in nearly 40 years, as the rising cost of living for Canadians squeezed household budgets and bolstered expectations the Bank of Canada will opt for a supersized interest rate hike next month.
Statistics Canada said Wednesday that its consumer price index in May rose 7.7 per cent compared with a year ago, the fastest pace since January 1983, when it gained 8.2 per cent. That’s almost a percentage point from April’s 6.8 per cent gain.
The May reading came as energy prices rose 34.8 per cent compared with a year ago, with gasoline prices up 48.0 per cent compared with a year ago.
Excluding gasoline, the annual inflation rate in May rose to 6.3 per cent compared with 5.8 per cent in April.
With files from The Canadian Press
