The happiest and most upsetting Canadian cities to drive in revealed
Driving can be fun, relaxing and can even bring on a bit of rage, but Kijiji Autos has now revealed the happiest Canadian cities to drive in.
A survey of 2,000 Canadian drivers, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Kijiji Autos in November 2021, found that drivers in Quebec City, Kitchener, and Calgary are the happiest, based on factors like road conditions, how expensive people think it is to own a car in their city, drivers who have never lost their temper and the average time spent in traffic each day.
The study indicates that 72 per cent of Quebec City drivers believe road conditions in the city are “very good,” and 88 per cent indicated that they feel “happy” to drive at least once a week. In the city, 36 per cent of survey respondents have never lost their temper while driving.
A total of 60 per cent of respondents in Kitchener described the road conditions in the city as “very good,” and only 28 per cent believe there are dangerous drivers in Kitchener. The majority, 84 per cent, of respondents said they feel “happy” to drive in the city at least once a week. In Kitchener, 36 per cent of respondents have never lost their temper while driving.
For Calgary drivers, 78 per cent indicated that the city has good road conditions, with 77 per cent of respondents “happy” driving at least once a week. A total of 26 per cent of respondents indicated they never lost their temper driving in Calgary.
On the other end of the spectrum, Toronto drivers are the most unhappy with the most time spent in traffic, an average of more than 19 minutes each day, and 45 per cent of respondents indicated there are dangerous drivers in the city. A total of 81 per cent of respondents believe it is expensive to own a car in Toronto and 76 per cent of drivers have lost their temper while driving.
Most popular road trips in Canada
There is no better time than spring and summer to hit the road in Canada for a scenic drive to explore areas closer to home. If you’re looking for some driving inspiration for your next trip, these top five most popular road trips in Canada:
Icefields Parkway: The Alberta journey between Banff and Jasper has been frequently called the “Drive of a Lifetime” and one of the most scenic drives in the world. The 232 kilometre drive showcases the best of the Rockies. Make a stop for a hike at Valley of the Five Lakes, Wilcox Pass or the Toe of the Glacier trail, or experience the picturesque Athabasca Falls.
Dinosaur Trail: The 48 kilometre Alberta drive allows you to take in amazing views of Horsethief Canyon. A great place to stop is the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology with one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs.
Cabot Trail: If you’re looking for a diverse driving experience, Cabot Trail is the way to go, with a great combination of beaches and forests at your disposal. You can even experience the trail, or at least part of it, by bike with Freewheeling Adventures bike tours. Generally speaking, travelling clockwise is often considered the more daunting choice in direction.
Sea to Sky Highway: The route from Vancouver to Whistler, this 162 kilometre B.C. highway has impressive views. Head to Squamish to get a bite to eat and make a stop north of the town at the Sea to Sky Gondola to get a breathtaking view of Howe Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Region.
The Trans-Canada Highway: Travel across Canada on this highway route, one of the largest in the world, 7,820 kilometres, stretching across all 10 provinces.
