When planning a road trip in Canada, you need to have a fuel budget.
Pay attention to fluctuating gas prices. Find a balance between comfort and consumption to save on your fuel budget.
Gas generally costs about half as much in Canada as in Europe, and 25-50% more than in the USA.
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Will rising fuel prices impact the cost of my Canada road trip?
Fuel prices have indeed increased in recent months, but the overall impact remains relatively modest when considered across an entire trip. For a 3,500 km road trip by car, this typically represents an additional £40 to £115 in fuel costs.
Fuel prices have risen from around 1.45 CAD/L (February 2026) to approximately 1.80–2.00 CAD/L (April 2026). Over the same period, the exchange rate has also shifted (from around 1 £ = 1.70 CAD to 1 £ = 1.73 CAD), which slightly offsets the increase for UK travellers.
| 3,500 km road trip | Car | RV |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption | 210 to 385 L | 385 to 770 L |
| Cost in February | £179 to £328 | £328 to £657 |
| Cost today | £218 to £445 | £401 to £890 |
| Estimated increase | +£40 to +£115 | +£75 to +£230 |
What are the best ways to manage your fuel budget while travelling in Canada?
1- Use local apps to compare fuel prices at different petrol stations
2- Avoid changing your flight booking, as adjustments can lead to higher fares
3- Fill up outside tourist areas, a few pence per litre can make a real difference over the course of your trip
4- Optimise your itinerary with your travel advisor to avoid unnecessary detours
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Calculate your GAS budget
1- Visit the Natural Resources Canada website, which provides the latest retail fuel prices in Canada by province. For example "153.3" means that the price is $1.53/litre.
2- Calculate your total distance using the indications in the itinerary description or our Eastern Canada and Western Canada distance tables.
3- Find your rental car's fuel consumption on its technical specifications sheet. Cars generally consume between 9 and 14 litres per 100 kilometres.
Sample calculation
You have determined that your Canada road trip is 2,000 kilometres long. You are renting a sub-compact with a fuel consumption of 9 litres/100 km, and the current price of gas in Quebec is $1.53.
Calculate how many litres of gas you will need: 2000 km x 9 litres / 100 km = 180 litres
Calculate how much it will cost: 180 litres x $1.53 = $275.40 of gas.
Important Notes
Note that vehicle fuel consumption is evaluated by the manufacturer. In reality, cars often consume two to three litres more than the amount indicated.
In addition, we recommend fuelling up early in the week, because prices tend to be higher from Thursday to Sunday.
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