Top tips for renting a car in Scarborough

Travellers to Scarborough, Ontario should understand the local road rules, driving conditions, and parking landscape before embarking on their journeys. Here's everything you need to know before you discover this sweet corner of the GTA.

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What are the road rules and driving conditions in Scarborough?

With some of the friendliest locals of any country in the world, driving in Canada is pretty breezy — but there are still things to be aware of before you get into the driver's seat of your Scarborough car rental!

Like Americans, Canadians drive on the right-hand side of the road. Other key road rules to know include always obeying road signage, wearing a seatbelt at all times, not using a hand-held mobile device while driving, and adhering to local speed regulations. In Canada, speed is measured in kilometres (not miles) per hour, also known as km/h. When driving in Scarborough, you'll observe that speed limits start at around 40 km/h in residential areas, and cap out at about 100 km/h on major highways.

In Canada (ex. Montreal and Québec), it's legal to turn right at a red light once you have stopped your vehicle. Drivers must always give way to emergency vehicles by slowing down and moving over one lane (known as the 'Move Over Law'). Also consider other vehicles with flashing lights, including school buses — when school buses flash their red lights, traffic in both directions must stop to give way — and snow cleanup vehicles, which have blue flashing lights. When encountering a snow removal vehicle with its lights on, stay at least a few car lengths behind.

Weather across Canada can be unpredictable at best, and in winter, frigid temperatures often signal snow, frost, and slush. Always exercise the utmost caution when driving in severe weather conditions, and use your headlights at all times during snowstorms, rain, fog, and from a half-hour before sundown and after sunrise. If you're visiting Scarborough in the wintertime, you can find suitable vehicle options with snow tires on Turo.

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What is parking like in Scarborough?

Parking in Scarborough, ON is ample and convenient. Major attractions like the Toronto Zoo and the Scarborough Town Centre have plenty of onsite and nearby parking options — check out the Town Centre parking which has complimentary parking for all shoppers. Street parking is available throughout Scarborough City in residential and commercial areas, often with time restrictions, so make sure to check the local signage before leaving your rental vehicle.

Headed into Toronto in your Scarborough car rental? It's always a good idea to plan ahead. Toronto offers plenty of parking garages and metered street parking options, but during peak business hours and busy times of year, these can fill up quickly or get expensive, fast. Consider pre-booking a parking garage or skipping peak-hour travel.

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Are there toll roads in Scarborough?

Scarborough doesn't have any toll roads, but if you're travelling to or from the area from within Ontario, you may encounter the 407 Electronic Toll Route (ETR). This is a major toll highway that runs through the GTA, avoiding busier routes like the 401 and cutting down commute time. It's a convenient option if you want to get to your destination without congestion, but beware that costs can stack up — tolls are calculated based on distance travelled and vehicle type, with cars being the cheapest.

To pay for your toll on the 407 ETR, you'll receive a bill in the mail or the toll cost will be deducted from the account connected to your vehicle's transponder. Chat with your Turo host about options for paying tolls whilst travelling through Ontario.

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Are there gas stations and EV chargers in Scarborough?

Scarborough is pretty well-equipped with both gas stations and EV chargers, so you won't find it difficult to keep your rental car on the road. Major thoroughfares like Kingston Rd, Markham Rd, and Lawrence Ave E offer lots of gas station options for you to fuel up.

Head to shopping centres, public parking lots, and major transit hubs like the Scarborough GO Station to find ample charging points from reliable providers including ChargePoint, Flo, and Tesla. Plus, the further you travel from Scarborough into Toronto, the more opportunities you'll find to juice or gas up your rental car.

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Do I need to rent a car in Scarborough?

If you plan on staying in nearby Scarborough rather than Toronto itself, you'll definitely need a rental car to help you get around. While public transit in the area is certainly branching out, Scarborough is still a suburban area, and it's best navigated with your own set of wheels if you're looking for flexibility. Plus, having a reliable car rental in Scarborough will afford you the freedom to explore all of Ontario and beyond, including Canada's beautiful lakes, national parks, and beaches.