A new study says women make complex trips with multiple stops in the family car far more often than men.

Statistics Canada has found that "trip chaining" -- the practice of stopping at intermediate points during a journey -- is a woman's domain.

The agency says the longer the trip chain …. the more likely the driver was a woman.

The study found that men predominated in single-stage trips -- about 45 per cent to 39 per cent for women.

Men and women were equally likely to make two-stage trips, but women led men in complex trips of three, four or five and more stages.

….A higher percentage of women drove to schools, day-care centres and retail establishments as their next stop after leaving home during the morning rush hour. A higher percentage of women also drove to shopping centres, banks and other places of personal business after leaving work.

More women leaving work also stopped off at schools or day cares, making 63 per cent of these trips.