The number of Canadians making overnight trips to the United States hit a record high in December.

 Statistics Canada says there were nearly two million overnight trips to the United States, the highest level since record-keeping began 40 years ago.

The increase comes in the wake of the decision by the federal government last summer to increase duty free limits to 200 dollars for Canadians who stay in the U-S overnight.

On the flip side, Travel to Canada fromt the U-S rose 1.7 percent to 1.7 million trips.