Canadian border crossings into the United States rose 6.8 percent in September 2026 compared to the previous year, marking six consecutive months of annual increases despite ongoing trade tensions. Meanwhile, a Léger survey shows that 60 percent of Canadians remain less open to visiting the U.S.
Data published by Statistics Canada reveals that Canadians completed 1.9 million round trips across the southern border in September, representing a 6.8 percent increase over the same month in 2025. That growth follows an 8.8 percent jump in August, continuing a six-month streak of year-over-year gains in cross-border travel.
Drivers and flyers alike are contributing to the uptick, though the patterns vary widely by mode of transportation.
Return trips by automobile climbed 5.6 percent in September compared to the prior year. Air travel saw an even sharper rise, with round-trip flights increasing 11.6 percent.
Americans Cross the Border in Growing Numbers
The cross-border traffic is flowing in both directions. The number of American residents visiting Canada by car and plane reached 1.8 million in September, a 17.2 percent jump from the previous year.
American travelers drove across the border 1.3 million times in September, a 19.5 percent increase over the previous year. Air arrivals from the United States also climbed, with more than 537,000 visitors flying north, representing a 12.2 percent gain.
Trade Friction Fails to Stop Travel Volume
Polling conducted by Léger shows that 60 percent of the population feels less open to visiting the United States than at any point over the past year. Nearly half of all respondents, or 48 percent, report being much less open to a U.S. trip.
That hesitation is particularly pronounced in Quebec, where 70 percent of respondents express closed attitudes toward traveling south. During the initial rollout of America First policies and the second term of the U.S. presidency in early 2025, cross-border traffic suffered a steep 25.4 percent drop compared to 2024.
Statistics Canada noted that spending on overseas leisure travel grew by $3.6 billion, reaching $22.8 billion as more Canadians opted for international destinations outside North America.
Canadians Choose Alternative Destinations for Autumn Travel
When looking at autumn travel plans, Canadians are increasingly bypassing both domestic destinations and the United States in favor of Mexico and other international locations.
- Canada: 61 percent of autumn travelers plan a domestic trip, down significantly from 77 percent during the summer.
- Mexico: Interest among prospective travelers has climbed from 4 percent in the summer to 9 percent for the fall.
- International (Other): Destinations outside Canada, the U.S., and Mexico drew 23 percent of travel intentions, up from 15 percent over the summer.
Only 63 percent of those avoiding the U.S. say they are more likely to vacation at home instead, down from 77 percent in the summer. Furthermore, 15 percent say they simply will not travel at all, compared to 11 percent previously.
Travelers Adjust Budgets Amid Economic Pressures
In Quebec, 32 percent of respondents are searching for more discounts, special offers, or package deals.
According to Léger’s findings, if the Canadian and American governments concluded a new agreement, 43 percent of Canadians say it would not change their likelihood of visiting the U.S., while 28 percent say they would be more likely to go. For now, preliminary September data serves only as an early indicator, with Statistics Canada scheduled to release definitive figures on November 23.