Here's why gas prices may be on the rise for the B.C. Day weekend | Daily Hive

Planning a B.C. Day road trip? Here's why gas prices may be on the rise

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B.C. gas prices are climbing again as the long weekend approaches, and experts say it’s not just a Metro Vancouver issue this time.

According to GasBuddy, the average price in British Columbia has jumped by five cents per litre in just one week, with some stations around Metro Vancouver seeing rates above $1.70 per litre at some stations.

So what’s driving this latest increase?

“There are a few things happening at once,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in an interview with Daily Hive Urbanized.

Canada National Gas Station Price Heat Map/GasBuddy

“The price of oil has jumped due to optimism about U.S. trade deals, and there’s growing concern about new sanctions on Russian oil. Plus, the Canadian dollar has weakened significantly, which also drives prices up.”

Trade tensions and tariffs pushing prices higher

The U.S. is reportedly pressuring countries like India and China to cut back on Russian crude imports.

If successful, that could reduce global supply and further tighten the oil market, especially if secondary sanctions take hold.

“If Russian oil starts disappearing from the market, that’s going to push prices up fast,” said De Haan.

At the same time, the Canadian dollar has dropped to its lowest point in months, and because oil is priced in U.S. dollars, that’s pushing pump prices even higher across the country.

“Every time the loonie drops, it costs us more to import fuel,” he added.

Is B.C. more vulnerable than the rest of Canada?

While West Coast refinery issues played a bigger role earlier this year, De Haan said the current spike is national.

“This isn’t just about Vancouver. We’re seeing a four-and-a-half to five-cent jump across most of Canada,” he said.

Still, B.C. has its own quirks.

De Haan explained that prices around Vancouver remain elevated due to the “TransLink fuel tax,” making local stations among the most expensive in the country.

Even though B.C.’s carbon tax was eliminated on Apr. 1, 2025, drivers around the province are still paying a motor fuel tax, which varies by region.

In the Vancouver area, there is a 27¢ per litre charge in motor fuel taxes, the highest in the province.

That includes:

18.5¢/L for TransLink (to fund public transit)
6.75¢/L for the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA)
1.75¢/L for general provincial revenue

These taxes are included in the price you see at the pump.

Metro Vancouver’s pump prices remain high in part due to the TransLink fuel tax, a regional levy of 18.5¢ per litre added to every litre of gasoline and diesel sold in the region.

Although the tax helps fund transit services like buses and SkyTrain, it drives up fuel costs for all drivers, whether they use transit or not.

Hurricane season? Not really a factor for B.C.

While hurricanes wreak havoc on Gulf Coast refineries, De Haan said B.C. is largely insulated due to geography.

“The Rocky Mountains kind of split the market in two,” he said.”Hurricane season really doesn’t impact Western Canada the way it might in the East.”

So, will prices rise again in August? That depends on trade deals, international diplomacy, and a bit of luck.

If the U.S. strikes a trade agreement with Canada or brokers a peace deal with Russia and Ukraine, De Haan said that we could see some relief.

But right now, things are still up in the air.

“We could see more increases,” he said. “It’s very uncertain.”

How to save money on gas this weekend

Fuel prices might be rising, but drivers still have options. According to Natural Resources Canada, using fuel-efficient driving techniques can reduce consumption and emissions by up to 25 per cent.

Here are expert-backed ways to cut costs on your B.C. Day trip:

Accelerate gently: Ease onto the gas pedal, take 5 seconds to go from 0 to 20 km/h.
Maintain a steady speed: Use cruise control on the highway (where conditions permit) to avoid dips and bursts in speed.
Coast to decelerate: Anticipate traffic and take your foot off the gas early, instead of slamming on the brakes.
Keep tires properly inflated: Under-inflated tires can increase fuel use by up to 4 per cent. Check your tire pressure monthly.
Ditch the extra weight: Every 25 kg in your trunk adds 1 per cent to fuel consumption. Remove sports gear, sandbags, or roof racks you don’t need.
Use less A/C: Air conditioning can increase gas use by up to 20 per cent. Open windows in the city and use ventilation on highways when possible.

“Prices can vary significantly between municipalities,” said De Haan. “Even crossing out of the TransLink zone can save drivers 10 to 15 cents per litre.”

How B.C. gas prices compare across Canada

While B.C.’s current average of $1.58 per litre is still about 19 cents below last year’s $1.77, it’s high compared to other provinces, De Haan told Daily Hive Urbanized.

Vancouver continues to see higher prices than Quebec or Alberta, largely due to transportation and refining costs, according to De Haan.

“Even with stable global conditions, B.C. prices are elevated because of logistics,” he said.

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