Gas prices back on the rise as most Canadian vacationers make domestic plans

Experts say challenges in the refining industry are pushing up gas prices ahead of the summer driving season. (George Pachantouris via Getty Images)

Gas prices are heating up in Canada, following several weeks of declines. The price bump could up the cost of a summer road trip for the nearly 70 per cent of vacation-planning Canadians looking to travel domestically.

According to the data firm Kalibrate, the average cost per litre of regular fuel in cities nationwide increased 1.6 cents to $1.697 between May 16 and May 23. Edmonton and Calgary saw the biggest gains, with prices rising 11.2 cents per litre, and 10 cents per litre, respectively. Sudbury, Ont. saw the biggest discount, at 8.7 cents per litre.

Experts point to challenges in the refining industry; rising costs and shrinking capacity.

"Refineries are getting older," noted Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates. "They may have to [spend] significant amounts of money replacing large pieces of equipment nearing the end of its useful life."

Meanwhile, a new Yahoo/Maru Public Opinion poll found more than half (53 per cent) of respondents are planning a vacation despite rising living costs. That's roughly the same as in 2022 (54 per cent), the last time the survey was conducted. Of those planning a summer vacation, 67 per cent said they plan to travel in Canada.

For the 47 per cent of respondents who say they will not take a summer vacation this year, the top reason cited is higher costs (31 per cent) and affordability concerns (10 per cent).

Follow Yahoo Finance Canada for more weekly gas price updates. Scroll below to find your nearest city.

(All figures in CAD cents)

Location	May 16	May 23	Price change
Canada Average (V)	168.1	169.7	-1.6
WHITEHORSE	189.9	189.9	0
VANCOUVER*	199.7	195.6	-4.1
VICTORIA	204.5	200	-4.5
PRINCE GEORGE	168.1	169.6	1.5
KAMLOOPS	173.3	172.9	-0.4
KELOWNA	170.8	169	-1.8
FORT ST. JOHN	170.2	167.2	-3
ABBOTSFORD	189.7	184.4	-5.3
YELLOWKNIFE	162.9	163.9	1
CALGARY*	151.9	161.9	10
RED DEER	153.4	155.5	2.1
EDMONTON	147.5	158.7	11.2
LETHBRIDGE	160.9	161.5	0.6
LLOYDMINSTER	152.3	155.5	3.2
GRANDE PRAIRIE	156.9	157.3	0.4
REGINA*	156.8	156.8	0
SASKATOON	155.2	154.6	-0.6
PRINCE ALBERT	155.9	155.5	-0.4
MOOSE JAW	158.7	158.7	0
WINNIPEG *	141.3	141.3	0
BRANDON	139.6	141.6	2
CITY OF TORONTO*	163	164.2	1.2
BRAMPTON	163.4	164.6	1.2
ETOBICOKE	161	164	3
MISSISSAUGA	162	163.2	1.2
NORTH YORK	162.5	164.8	2.3
SCARBOROUGH	163.2	164	0.8
VAUGHAN/MARKHAM	162.4	164.3	1.9
OTTAWA	162.5	164.5	2
KINGSTON	162.1	163.1	1
PETERBOROUGH	164.2	161.8	-2.4
WINDSOR	161	163	2
LONDON	162.5	164	1.5
SUDBURY	172.7	164	-8.7
SAULT STE MARIE	168.9	166.4	-2.5
THUNDER BAY	169.1	165.9	-3.2
NORTH BAY	164.1	162.4	-1.7
TIMMINS	171.7	170.8	-0.9
HAMILTON	160.5	162.2	1.7
ST. CATHARINES	159.2	159.9	0.7
BARRIE	162.3	163.6	1.3
BRANTFORD	160.2	162.2	2
GUELPH	161.6	163.7	2.1
KITCHENER	161.7	163.7	2
OSHAWA	162.6	164.5	1.9
SARNIA	160.7	165.4	4.7
MONTRÉAL*	174.3	175.7	1.4
QUÉBEC	179.9	174.4	-5.5
SHERBROOKE	176.8	175.8	-1
GASPÉ	186.1	179.4	-6.7
CHICOUTIMI	159.9	159.2	-0.7
RIMOUSKI	174.4	170.4	-4
TROIS RIVIÈRES	179.4	178.5	-0.9
DRUMMONDVILLE	176.7	175.9	-0.8
VAL D'OR	179.6	179.6	0
GATINEAU	160.9	158.9	-2
SAINT JOHN*	171.4	169.1	-2.3
FREDERICTON	171.5	168.9	-2.6
MONCTON	172	169.1	-2.9
BATHURST	171.9	169.3	-2.6
EDMUNDSTON	170.8	168.3	-2.5
MIRAMICHI	173	170.2	-2.8
CAMPBELLTON	172.9	169.9	-3
SUSSEX	171.3	168.7	-2.6
WOODSTOCK	172.9	170.2	-2.7
HALIFAX*	179.4	175.6	-3.8
SYDNEY	181.3	177.5	-3.8
YARMOUTH	180.4	176.6	-3.8
TRURO	180.5	176.7	-3.8
KENTVILLE	180	176.2	-3.8
NEW GLASGOW	180.5	176.7	-3.8
CHARLOTTETOWN*	177.6	174.1	-3.5
ST JOHNS*	181.7	182.7	1
GANDER	184.2	185.2	1
LABRADOR CITY	188.3	189.3	1
CORNER BROOK	182.4	183.4	1
GRAND FALLS	184.2	185.2	1

SOURCE: KALIBRATE • All figures in CAD cents

(*) Denotes markets used in Volume Weighted Canada Average

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

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