Ottawa residents and eastern Ontario travellers are crossing into New York State far less often this year, with new data showing a dramatic 28,000-trip drop in cross-border road travel during the first quarter of 2026.
A Sharp Pullback at the Border
The numbers paint a clear picture: compared to the same three-month stretch in 2025, road trips from eastern Ontario into New York State fell by roughly 28,000 in January, February, and March 2026. That's a significant shift for a region where a quick drive to Watertown, Plattsburgh, or even the Adirondacks has long been a weekend staple.
For many Ottawa families, hopping across the border for a shopping run, a ski trip, or a visit to Lake Placid was practically a seasonal tradition. That habit appears to be fading — at least for now.
Why Are Fewer People Making the Trip?
Several factors are likely converging to keep Ottawa-area travellers on this side of the border.
The Canada-U.S. trade war that escalated in early 2026 has cast a chill over cross-border sentiment. Beyond the economics, there's been a notable shift in how many Canadians feel about travelling to the United States. Surveys conducted earlier this year consistently showed rising discomfort among Canadians with American travel, driven by political tensions, border uncertainty, and a sense of national pride in spending dollars closer to home.
The Canadian dollar's weakness against the U.S. greenback doesn't help either. When every American purchase costs significantly more in Canadian terms, the appeal of a Buffalo shopping run or a Vermont getaway dims considerably.
The Local Economy Could Benefit
There's a flip side to this story. Fewer road trips south means more Canadians keeping their travel dollars in Canada — and Ottawa stands to gain. Local tourism operators, ski hills like Camp Fortune and Edelweiss, and destinations like Québec City, Montréal, and the Laurentians have all been actively marketing to Canadians who might otherwise have headed to U.S. alternatives.
Ottawa's own tourism sector — from the ByWard Market to the Rideau Canal and Gatineau Park — could see a boost as residents opt for staycations and domestic day trips instead.
What This Means for the Region
For border communities on both sides, the numbers matter. Businesses in northern New York State that rely on Canadian shoppers and tourists are likely feeling the pinch. Meanwhile, eastern Ontario towns that serve as rest stops or shopping destinations for returning travellers may also notice a shift in foot traffic.
It remains to be seen whether this trend holds through the summer travel season, traditionally the busiest time for cross-border movement in this corridor. A lot will depend on how Canada-U.S. relations evolve — and whether the loonie finds firmer footing.
For now, it looks like Ottawa-area residents are rediscovering what's in their own backyard.
Source: CTV News via Google News Ottawa RSS feed
