Fewer Canadian Plates on U.S. Highways
If it feels like you’re spotting fewer Ontario or Quebec license plates on your summer road trips, you’re not imagining it. Canadians have been skipping U.S. visits by car at surprising rates.
In June 2025 alone, automobile return trips from the U.S. to Canada fell by 33.1% compared to last year. Local diners, gas stations, and motels in border towns are already noticing fewer visitors, meaning less foot traffic and lighter registers.
Airports missing Canadian travelers
Canadian return trips from the U.S. by air dropped 22.1% in June 2025.
That’s a big shift considering how often Canadians head south for warmer weather, shopping, or family visits. Airlines and airports in popular hubs like Miami, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas are reporting softer demand.
A year of steady decline
May 2025 showed the first big sign of trouble, with Canadian return trips from the U.S. down 31.9%. Instead of bouncing back for summer, the numbers kept falling.
By July, automobile travel dropped 36.9% compared to July 2024. That’s a serious downturn right in peak vacation season. Tourism boards that once counted on steady Canadian traffic are now facing unexpected gaps in revenue.
Why the sudden pullback?
Some Canadian leaders have been urging residents to “choose Canada” for vacations, fueled by trade tensions and political unease with the U.S.
For travelers on the fence, that message, combined with the exchange rate and rising costs, has been enough to tip the scales. Staying closer to home also avoids pricey airfare and border waits.
A $2.1 billion problem
Canadians are big spenders in the U.S. In 2024, they made 20.4 million trips south, spending $20.5 billion. That spending fuels hotels, restaurants, attractions, and even seasonal jobs. A 10% drop in Canadian tourism could mean $2.1 billion less flowing into U.S. communities.
And this year’s declines aren’t 10%, they’re much higher in some states. For small towns where tourism is the backbone of the local economy, the loss hits hard.
Florida feeling the chill
Florida has long been a top pick for Canadian snowbirds and vacationers. This year, that pipeline is slowing.
From Miami’s beaches to Orlando’s theme parks, fewer Canadian families are booking trips. Resorts, golf courses, and rental properties that normally welcome repeat guests from Ontario and Quebec are reporting noticeable gaps in reservations.
Florida still attracts millions, but without its once-reliable Canadian market, many businesses now struggle to fill rooms and tables.
California’s Canadian connection weakens
California’s mix of beaches, wine country, and iconic cities usually pulls in a strong crowd from north of the border.
But with fewer Canadians flying south, tourism-heavy spots like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are seeing a dip in that market. For Canadian travelers, California’s higher costs, paired with the exchange rate, make trips pricier than before.
Las Vegas losing a loyal crowd
Canadians have long been a dependable crowd for Las Vegas hotels, casinos, and shows. But 2025 is telling a different story.
Visitor counts from Canada are down, meaning fewer guests at tables, fewer theater seats filled, and fewer poolside cabanas booked. While Vegas remains an international draw, losing a steady stream of Canadians, many of whom visited regularly, hurts.
New York’s northern neighbors missing
Canadian travelers once made New York City a go-to weekend escape, but that trend is slowing.
From Broadway shows to shopping trips, Canadian visitors are showing up in smaller numbers. The decline doesn’t just affect Manhattan; it hits upstate regions like the Adirondacks and Niagara Falls, which rely heavily on drive-in visitors from Ontario and Quebec.
Texas tourism takes a hit
Texas might not be the first state you think of for Canadian tourism, but it’s been a big draw.
From Dallas shopping sprees to winter escapes in the Rio Grande Valley, Canadians have flocked south for years. In 2025, those trips are dropping, and local businesses are noticing. Fewer visitors mean emptier restaurants, slower winter rental bookings, and less traffic at attractions.
Border states see steep drops
States like New Hampshire, Montana, and others along the northern border rely on cross-border day trips and weekend visits.
Some of these areas are reporting a 30-37% drop in Canadian tourist spending. That’s huge when your local economy is built on quick trips for shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation.
Impact on seasonal jobs
A drop in visitors means fewer shifts for servers, fewer hours for retail clerks, and smaller crews for maintenance and housekeeping. For seasonal workers who rely on peak travel months, the Canadian travel decline is hitting hard.
Students who once counted on summer work are struggling to find positions. It’s a chain reaction that starts with fewer border crossings but ends in households across the community.
Shifts in shopping patterns
Cross-border shopping has long been a favorite pastime for Canadians. U.S. outlet malls and big-box stores once buzzed with Canadian customers hunting for deals.
Now, store managers in border regions report lighter weekend crowds. Fewer shoppers mean less revenue, and that affects staffing, inventory, and even future store openings
Events missing Canadian audiences
From state fairs to music festivals, Canadian attendees have been part of the crowd for years.
But in 2025, event organizers in popular tourist states say those numbers are shrinking. Without them, attendance feels different, and revenue reflects it. Some events are adjusting their budgets or scaling back next year’s plans.
Politics, economy, and pride drive the drop
The sharp decline in Canadian travel to the U.S. in 2025 comes from a mix of political tensions, rising costs, and a push for national pride. Heated rhetoric from U.S. leadership, like talk of Canada becoming the “51st state” and tariff threats, has made some Canadians rethink crossing the border.
Canada’s government is also encouraging citizens to “choose Canada” for vacations, keeping money at home to support local tourism. With all the political tension, Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric on travel are also adding to the decline.
Could the trend reverse?
Travel trends can change quickly, but experts aren’t sure if Canadian travel will rebound soon.
Tourism boards may focus more on domestic travelers or court other international markets. Not only are Canadian visits to America down, but global travel patterns are shifting in 2025.
As an American, how do you feel about these travel tensions and the drop in Canadian visitors?
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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
