The best credit card for road trips in Canada is the American Express Cobalt Card. It offers high earn rates in all categories, including road-trip related areas like restaurants, groceries, and gas.
With the right credit card, you can earn plenty of rewards that can be used for further travel or just about anything else. You can also save on foreign exchange fees if a cross-border trip is your plan, and get help if you need it with roadside assistance.
Here, we cover the top cards for your upcoming road trip and discuss several key areas for you to consider while planning your journey.
Key Takeaways
- There are five things every road-trip-ready credit card should have: gas, hotel, and restaurant rewards, free roadside assistance, and no foreign exchange fees.
- No credit card hits all five requirements but the American Express Cobalt is the overall best option.
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Best credit cards for road trips in Canada
| Category | Credit card | Earn rates | Annual fee and income requirements | Welcome offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | American Express Cobalt Card | * Gas: 2 points per $1 spent * Restaurants: 5 points per $1 spent * Hotels: 1 point per $1 spent | * $191.88 * $0 personal * $0 household |  $100 GeniusCash + Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Best gas savings | CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card | * Gas: 4% cash back * Restaurants: 2% cash back * Hotels: 1% cash back | * $120 * $60,000 personal * $60,000 household | 10% cash back for the first 4 months, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | Learn more |
| Best no FX fee | Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | * Gas: 3 points per $1 spent * Restaurants: 5 points per $1 spent * Hotels: 1 point per $1 spent | * $120 * $12,000 personal * $12,000 household | $60 GeniusCash + Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year free (terms) | Learn more |
| Best for roadside assistance | BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | * Gas: 3% cash back * Restaurants: 1% cash back * Hotels: 1% cash back | * $120 * $80,000 personal * $80,000 household | $150 GeniusCash + Up to $480 cash back in the first year, first year free (terms) | Learn more |
| Best for hotels | Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card | * Gas: 2 points per $1 * Restaurants: 2 points per $1 spent * Hotels: 5 points per $1 spent (Marriott properties only) | * $120 * $0 personal * $0 household | 110,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Best no fee | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | * Gas: up to 2% cash back * Restaurants: up to 2% cash back * Hotels: up to 2% cash back | * $0 * $12,000 personal * $12,000 household | $80 GeniusCash + 10% extra cash back for the first 2 months (terms) | Learn more |
Before we get into each card's finer details, here's a look at how the best credit cards for road trips compare in terms of average earn rates:
1. The overall best credit card for road trips: American Express Cobalt® Card
×9 Award winner 
GC: $100
9x Award winner It shouldn't be a surprise that the American Express Cobalt Card is the best credit card for road trips – it's already the best overall credit card in Canada. It's one of the few cards that offers high rewards for the key categories roadtrippers require:
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month)
- 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services
- 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
At maximum value, Amex Membership Rewards are worth up to 2 cents each when transferred to Aeroplan, giving a maximum return of up to 10% on purchases. You can also transfer to either Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors if you want to turn them into free hotel stays.
2. Best credit card for gas savings: CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
×1 Award winner Join and earn up to $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
1x Award winner Join and earn up to $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card may not have the best earn rate on gas purchases – though 4% cash back isn't too shabby at all – but it does offer extra savings via Journie Rewards. Link your CIBC card with your Journie account, and you'll save as much as 10 cents per litre of fuel at Ultramar, Fas Gas, Pioneer, and Chevron stations.
The welcome bonus of 10% (for 4 months) can also be a sweet way to maximize your road trip.
3. The best no foreign exchange fee credit card for road trips: Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
×3 Award winner GC: $60
3x Award winner As the best no foreign exchange fee card available, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card provides a rewarding way to pay for your road trip through Canada or the U.S. It waives the typical 2.5% fee most credit cards charge for foreign currency, which can lead to big savings.
Plus, you'll earn Scene+ points at these rates:
- 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more
- 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on gas, select streaming services, and transit
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases
One point to note – you won't earn bonus rewards on foreign exchange purchases – you only get the base rate of 1 point per $1 spent.
4. The best credit card with free roadside assistance: BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
×1 Award winner GC: $150
1x Award winner There are only a few credit cards in Canada with free roadside assistance, and the best one of the bunch is the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard. The roadside assistance alone is almost the price of the annual fee, but you'll also enjoy premium World Elite benefits.
Here's a look at the cash back you'll earn with this card, on top of the complimentary roadside assistance:
- 5% cash back on groceries, up to $500 in monthly spend
- 4% cash back on transit, up to $300 in monthly spend
- 3% cash back on gas, up to $300 in monthly spend
- 2% cash back on recurring bills, up to $500 in monthly spend
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
5. The best credit card for free hotel nights: Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
The ultimate credit card for free hotel nights is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. It doesn't offer a variety of earn rates across categories, but instead offers a high earn rate on all purchases. Here's what you'll earn for Marriott Bonvoy points:
- 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Every year on your anniversary, you'll also get an annual free night stay worth up to 35,000 points. It's not available to you in the first year, but the 110,000 point welcome bonus is more than enough for a free night or two.
6. The best no fee credit card for road trips: Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
×2 Award winner GC: $80
2x Award winner The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is an excellent no fee credit card for road trips, and not just because you'll save on the annual fee. With this card, users can choose which categories earn 2% cash back from a list of 10 – including some very handy road trip-related categories:
If you choose to have your cash back deposited into a Tangerine Savings Account you get to choose an extra earning category, for a total of 3. Plus, if you meet the World Mastercard income requirements, you can get the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard and a few extra perks, like mobile device and car rental insurance.
Factors to consider when choosing a road trip credit card
The 5 key details that you should look for in a credit card to use on your road trip are:
- Gas
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Roadside assistance
- No foreign exchange fees
Gas
Fuel is likely the biggest expense for any road trip, so having a credit card that rewards you for gas purchases is very important. Some cards – like the American Express Cobalt Card, our favourite – offer significant rewards on fuel, while others offer discounts with partnering gas stations. And some do both, like the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, which partners with Journie Rewards.
Speaking of rewards, taking advantage of gas rewards programs can also help you save on your road trip. Many of these programs offer seasonal promotions that offer extra savings and incentives, like Irving's "Free Fuel for Life" promo from summer 2025.
Hotels
The best hotel credit card is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, but that only helps you if you collect Marriott Bonvoy points.
Yes, Marriott Bonvoy is the best rewards program for hotels, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Choose a hotel – and associated credit card – that fits your family's needs and has a valuable rewards program.
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance is all but essential for a road trip, and, luckily, there are a couple of credit cards in Canada that provide this for free, saving you the cost of a CAA membership. We've mentioned the best option above, the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard.
Even if you don't have a card that includes roadside assistance, we highly recommend investing in some form of emergency road support. Safety comes first.
Foreign exchange (FX) fees
Especially if your road trip plans take you into the U.S., a credit card with no foreign exchange fees is your ticket to saving big on fees. In fact, your savings could potentially outweigh any rewards you would earn if your card didn't have it.
As mentioned above, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is the best no FX card for Canadians. The EQ Bank Card is another excellent choice, especially if you don't want to add another typical credit card – and associated fees – to your wallet.
Groceries
Especially if you're taking the whole family on the road and are trying to save on food, a good grocery card could be a huge help.
The American Express Cobalt Card is the overall best grocery card, but if you prefer to avoid Amex, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is your best bet. It earns MBNA Rewards, which are surprisingly valuable, and the best redemption option is for travel.
Travel insurance
Having a credit card with travel insurance is particularly good if you plan an extended trip and/or plan to leave Canada.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is the best card for travel insurance, offering very extensive coverage. Take a look:
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,500 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 31 days |
| Emergency Medical Maximum Coverage | unlimited |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 7 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $750 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $2,500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $3,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
Rental car discounts
For those who don't have their own vehicle or simply prefer not to put extra miles on it, choose a credit card that offers discounts and/or benefits when renting a car. You should also consider a card that provides rental car insurance, so you don't have to pay extra for the protection.
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card offers discounts with two different car rental companies. You'll get 25% off base rates with both AVIS and Budget – no matter whether you're renting in Canada or the U.S. If you're more concerned about insurance, the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard has the best rental car insurance package, including coverage for theft and damage, accidents, and even personal effects.
FAQ
What is the best Canadian travel credit card?
The best Canadian travel credit card is the American Express Cobalt Card. You can earn up to 5 American Express Membership Rewards per $1 spent on your purchases, which translates to a return of up to 10% on purchases as each point is worth up to 2 cents.
Which Canadian credit card has roadside assistance?
There are a handful of Canadian credit cards that offer roadside assistance, but the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is the most valuable choice as it offers many other benefits too. The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card is another noteworthy option, which includes emergency services through the Deluxe TD Auto Club program.
Does Canadian Tire credit card have roadside assistance?
Yes, the Triangle World Elite Mastercard includes its complimentary Roadside Assistance Gold Plan, though the standard Triangle Mastercard does not. The Roadside Assistance Gold Plan includes things like 24-hour service, up to 200 kilometre towing services (with unlimited tows to Canadian Tire service centres), flat tire change, and more.
Which credit card is best for gas?
The best credit card for gas in Canada is the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card, which provides 4% cash back on gas purchases as well as EV charging. Since CIBC partners with Journie Rewards, linking this card to your Journie account means you'll also save up to 10 cents per litre when you fuel up at participating stations.
What credit card has the best hotel benefits?
For free hotel stays, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is hard to beat. You'll earn 2 points per $1 spent on all purchases (5 points per $1 spent at Marriott hotels), but the best part is the annual free night certificate. You'll earn a free night on your card's anniversary, a perk worth up to 35,000 points.
Is $1,000 enough for a road trip?
You likely won't be able to get very far with a $1,000 road trip budget. This amount will likely only cover about 7,000 to 10,000 kilometres of gas, which is barely enough to drive from Halifax to Montreal. Even for a journey this short, you'd need to budget for lodging and food as well.
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