NEW.BRUNSWICK (CBC) - Travel in and out of the country increased modestly in May, according to a report released Thursday by Statistics Canada.

About 2.3 million travellers entered Canada in May, an increase of 0.4 per cent over April, the federal agency said. Meanwhile, Canadians made 4.5 million trips to other countries, up 1.6 per cent from the previous month.

Fewer Americans made overnight trips to Canada in May, though same-day travel increased 2.2 per cent.

"The gain in same-day car trips was the second consecutive monthly increase following seven months of declines," Statistics Canada said.

Canadians made a total of 3.8 million trips to the U.S., an increase of two per cent over April. Same-day car travel rose 1.8 per cent and overnight travel rose 2.1 per cent.

Gas prices in May jumped significantly with the national average climbing to $1.284, according to MJ Ervin & Associates, a Calgary-based consulting firm. By comparison, the national average for April was $1.194.

May travel to overseas countries totalled 664,000 trips, a decrease of 0.9 per cent over April.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW