Is your fall trip costing too much? Why more Canadians are skipping big cities

Swapping a high-rise hotel for a lakeside cottage sounds budget-friendly, but it doesn’t automatically mean a smaller price tag. Ongoing cost of living pressures and higher gas prices — up 22.8% over the summer months — are significant factors to consider when planning a road trip.

To help, here’s what four of this fall’s top-trending small towns actually cost — and how to calculate the real price tag before you book.

Why are Canadians skipping big cities this fall?

Airbnb says fall remains the top season for weekend getaways. According to the data, people are favouring shorter, hassle-free trips — eliminating passports, border crossings and airport terminals. As Hannah Parish, Airbnb’s country manager for Canada, explains, “[Canadians] are becoming explorers closer to home this season.”

Keep in mind, however, that the Airbnb data is for searches made in Q2 2026 for fall travel dates — tracking what people are curious about, not trips that were actually booked.

Still, search trends appear to mirror federal data. According to Statistics Canada, higher fuel costs in July and August have prompted a price bump for tour packages. The extra jet fuel costs being passed down to Canadian travellers may be positioning drive-to destinations as more appealing, as long as the drive itself is in the budget.

Based on Airbnb data, the four top small-town roadtrip destinations included:

• Goderich, Ontario
• Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
• Montebello, Quebec
• Cochrane, Alberta

To help, here’s a sample trip budget for each location.

Goderich, Ontario: Is ‘Canada’s prettiest town’ worth the drive?

Goderich sits on Lake Huron, just over 200 kilometres from Toronto, according to Destination Ontario, the province’s tourism marketing agency. According to Airbnb, Goderich’s claim as Canada’s “prettiest town” dates all the way back to Victorian times — a title backed up by three sandy beaches and a scenic lakefront boardwalk.

The money catch is that bus service to the area is limited, so most visitors will need a car. A round trip from Toronto logs about 400 kilometers. Run that distance through your car’s fuel economy and today’s gas prices before deciding if it’s actually cheaper than a city staycation.

For example, if you drive a mid-sized SUV, the 800 km round trip would cost between $110 and $155 in fuel, depending on your SUV and how you drive.

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia: Can you do it on a weekend budget?

Tucked off B.C.’s north coast, this archipelago has become one of Airbnb’s hottest rural searches — thanks to its lush rainforests, rugged coastlines and the rich history at the Haida Heritage Centre.

BC Ferries sails from Prince Rupert to Skidegate, and reservations are required for both passengers and vehicles. Depending on the season, sailings run three to six round trips per week. But pay attention to ferry service changes: the summer schedule ends in mid-September. More infrequent departures means zero wiggle room if bad weather or delay hits. Always review the fare cancellation fine print first.

As a result, this weekend getaway may require a bit more planning — and funds.

For instance, the roundtrip drive between Vancouver and Prince Rupert is approximately 3,000 kilometres. That means setting a fuel budget between $400 and $520, depending on what you’re driving and how much gear you packed.

Assuming an SUV with two adults, the ferry costs will add another $565, if booked before Oct. 13 (or book the ferry in the off-season, after Oct. 14, and pay just over $460) for the return trip.

Keep in mind, this trip is more than a weekend getaway with the driving portion, alone, taking at least 17 hours.

Montebello, Quebec: What should you know before booking the château?

Montebello is roughly one hour from Ottawa and 90 minutes from Montreal, according to Colliers, a real estate services firm that operates in the area and was the broker for the most well-known property in the area, the Fairmont Le Château Montebell. Renowned as the largest log structure on the planet, the Fairmont Le Château Montebello blends historic luxury with a serious sense of scale.

The historic resort was placed in receivership after its owner, real estate firm Evergrande, racked up tens of millions of dollars in debt. The resort now stays open under Fairmont management. A Quebec court has since approved its sale to Westmont Hospitality Group.

To be clear, the rationale for this trip is to stay at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello — and rates for rooms in this historic cabin vary widely. According to Bonjour Québec the resort’s most expensive unit costs up to $2,599 per night, but savvy trip planners may find better deals.

While you may be more for accommodation, the fuel costs to get to the location shouldn’t break the bank. A roundtrip excursion from Ottawa should cost no more than $25 or $30, while a roundtrip from Montreal will be less than $50.