For First Time Ever, More Canadians Flew Overseas in January Than Drove to the U.S. — A Shift in Travel Trends

Writers: Ebenezer Adu‑Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku
GhanaianNewsCanada | March 23, 2026

According to newly released preliminary data from Statistics Canada, Canadian‑resident return trips from overseas by air totalled about 1.5 million in January, an increase compared with the previous year. At the same time, trips where Canadians returned by automobile from the U.S. fell to roughly 1.3 million — the lowest point in decades.

This milestone is significant because driving across the Canada–United States border has traditionally been the most common way Canadians travel abroad, especially for vacations, weekend healthcare visits, or shopping trips. In January’s data, however, air travel for overseas destinations outpaced land travel to the U.S. for the first time since records began in the early 1970s — excluding unusual pandemic years that disrupted travel patterns.

What’s Behind the Shift?

Experts point to several factors contributing to this travel shift. One important influence appears to be changing attitudes toward travel to the U.S. A national survey released earlier this year found that a large proportion of Canadians said they were less likely to vacation in the United States in 2026 compared with recent years, with many preferring other destinations closer to home or abroad — such as the Caribbean, Mexico, or European cities.

In addition, broader data from Statistics Canada show that travel by Canadians to the U.S. has been declining. Canadian‑resident return trips from the United States in January 2026 were down about 24 per cent compared with the same month last year, driven largely by a steep drop in automobile border crossings. Meanwhile, return trips from overseas soared over 10 per cent in the same period.

Travel guides and tourism experts suggest that factors such as shifting preferences, economic considerations, and perceptions about border hassles and entry requirements may be influencing Canadians to look beyond traditional road trips south of the border. A recent travel survey found that more than six in ten Canadians are now less likely to visit the U.S. than in previous years, with many opting instead for international destinations considered safer, more convenient, or better valued for vacation spending.

What This Means for the Travel Industry

The new trend could have wide‑ranging implications for tourism and hospitality sectors in both Canada and the United States. Areas along the U.S. border that once relied heavily on Canadian road travellers — including duty‑free shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions — may feel the impact of fewer visitors from north of the border. Meanwhile, airlines and Canadian travel agencies are reporting stronger demand for long‑haul flights, with travellers booking vacations further abroad or planning multi‑destination trips.

Transportation experts say that changing travel patterns could also influence future airline route planning, airport traffic management, and tourism marketing strategies as North American travel evolves post‑pandemic.