We all know that driving in Toronto can be quite a daunting task. Whether your end goal is the grocery store down the street, or you’re on a mission downtown, you’re bound to run into unpredictable traffic, constant construction, and potholes galore. But hey, as Torontonians, a little road chaos is part of our charm, right? Now, hold onto your steering wheel as we embark on a journey through the five worst roads to drive on in Toronto. Prepare for detours, delays, and possibly a few road-raging moments.
1. Dufferin Street
Welcome to the land of bottomless potholes and mysterious bumps: Dufferin Street. On any given day, you might find yourself playing a real-life game of "Dodge the Pothole". It's bound to have you feeling like you’re the main character in an action movie. The road's poor condition isn't helped by the regular and often poorly signposted construction work. Do remember to get your suspension checked after a ride on Dufferin – it's a journey that even the bravest shocks and struts may not forget.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
2. Eglinton Avenue
Ah, Eglinton. The road to the slow death of your vehicle. There is always, ALWAYS, some form of repair or construction happening here. Seriously, Eglinton construction has been ongoing for at least a decade. You may as well bring a novel for the inevitable standstill traffic, or better yet, take up a hobby like knitting to pass the time. Let's not forget the added thrill of unexpected lane closures that keep you guessing. It’ll probably be another decade before any smooth driving can be done on this road, and by then we’ll probably have flying cars.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
3. Yonge Street
Yonge Street, the longest street in the world, or should we say, the longest PARKING LOT in the world? During rush hours, it's less of a street and more of a very slowly moving conga line of vehicles. To top it off, there's the puzzle of street parking: cars popping in and out without a moment's notice. Keep your reflexes sharp and your brakes in good shape!
Image by VideoPart from Pixabay
4. St. Clair Avenue
St. Clair has its very own special charm. It's got everything: narrow lanes, sudden turns, and our personal favourite, the unpredictable streetcar tracks. Nothing screams "adventure" quite like navigating around streetcars in peak Toronto traffic. To top it off, it's the gateway to several restaurants and shops, leading to a pedestrian frenzy and crowded street parking that adds another layer of fun to the mix.
Image by Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida from Pixabay
5. Finch Avenue
Last but not least, we present Finch Avenue. Its traffic signals are synchronized in a way that, if you catch one red light, you're probably going to catch them all. Not only will you get to know every traffic light personally, but you'll also enjoy the musical rhythm of your vehicle starting and stopping. Not to mention the constant construction. Again, a Toronto road that has been under construction for at least a decade. There are ALWAYS construction workers, but there never seems to be any improvement. Remember to fuel up before you hit Finch – it could be a long ride!
Image by WikimediaImages from Pixabay
So there you have it, brave drivers: the five worst roads to drive on in Toronto. Each pothole dodged and each traffic jam survived can only make our stories more interesting. So keep your seatbelt fastened, your patience fueled, and your sense of humour well-oiled. Remember, there’s a lot Toronto has to offer and every road leads somewhere—sometimes just not very quickly!
