Top tips for renting a car in Peterborough

Driving in Canada is idyllic — think tree-lined open roads and vast stretches of rugged coastline. To make navigating Peterborough and beyond a breeze, be sure to brush up on the basics, including road rules, toll roads, and parking information. Here's a rundown of what you should know before renting a car in Peterborough.

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What are the road rules and driving conditions in Peterborough?

When you're travelling to Peterborough, you'll need to adhere to Ontario road rules. Drive on the right-hand side of the road, always wear a seatbelt while driving, obey road signage, refrain from using your mobile phone (unless in hands-free mode), and adhere to local speed limits.

Peterborough is very concerned about driving safety, which is why they introduced the 'Drive Slow PTBO' campaign, which caps speed limits in school zones to 30-40 km/h. In other areas, you'll observe common speed limits of 50-70 km/h and speed limits of up to 100-110 km/h on highways.

Ontario observes the 'Move Over Law', which stipulates that drivers must always give way to emergency vehicles when they are displaying sirens and/or flashing lights by moving across lanes. Another road rule unique to Ontario concerns giving way to school buses. If a school bus's lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended, traffic in both directions must come to a halt. While driving in Peterborough, you can turn right at a red light if you have come to a complete stop first and it is safe to do so.

Like most of the Great White North, temperatures in Peterborough in winter can be frigid, which brings with it snow, sleet, and slush. To avoid accidents on icy roads, always equip your vehicle with snow chains or tires. Use Turo's search filters to find rental cars that are already fitted with snow tires.

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What is parking like in Peterborough?

Parking options in the welcoming city of Peterborough are ample, especially if you're visiting the downtown area and need somewhere to leave your vehicle while you explore. Metered street parking has a limit of two hours that's enforced throughout the area. In residential areas, street parking is unmetered — however, always be sure to check if you're parking in a permitted area!

If you're planning on perusing the Peterborough city centre for more than just a quick bite or coffee break, instead opt to park your rental car in a parkade or parking lot. You'll find a selection of parking garages throughout Peterborough, including Brock St, Downie St, Reid St, and Simcoe St.

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Are there toll roads in Peterborough?

There's only one toll road in the entire province of Ontario: Highway 407. This road does not pass through Peterborough, however, you may still encounter it if you're coming in from Toronto or you plan on travelling there during your stay. There's an easy route from Toronto to Peterborough and vice versa that avoids the 407 — instead, take Ontario Highways 401 and 115.

Highway 407 is an entirely electronic toll road, so if you happen to travel on it while driving a rental car on Turo, you'll need to contact your host about their preferred approach for payment. Message them in the Turo app to coordinate.

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Are there gas stations and EV chargers in Peterborough?

Like any growing city in Canada and beyond, Peterborough offers lots of spots to fuel up or recharge your rental vehicle. Heading into town from Toronto, you'll find a few gas stations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along Highways 401 and 115.

Once you reach Peterborough itself, your EV charging options will open right up. Find chargers from EVStart and FLO dispersed across the town centre and the surrounding neighbourhoods, including on major roads like George Street North, Simcoe Street North, and King Street. Surprisingly, there are fewer gas stations in the area than you may think, but you'll still have your pick of the bunch as you cruise through Peterborough and surrounds — try Hunter Street East, Aylmer Street North, and Chemong Road for easy stop-off points.

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Do I need to rent a car in Peterborough?

While Peterborough, ON is serviced by handy buses, this is the only way to get around without a car. So, if you're on a time crunch or just want freedom and flexibility, a rental car in Peterborough is the way to go. It's especially helpful to have your own set of wheels if you want to embark on day trips to the surrounding cottage country, Toronto, or Barrie.

Find car rentals to suit every need and travel style, including the latest electric vehicles, sleek SUVs, compact city cruisers, and more, when you rent a car on Turo.