Travel alerts & warnings
Canada driving guide.
Canada offers well-maintained highways, spectacular scenery, and long distances between destinations. City driving is generally straightforward, but snow, wildlife, and limited services can make rural and northern routes more demanding.
- Advisory
- Normal precautions
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- June to September
- Permit honored
- Yes
USIDA member value-add
Build a driving trip in Canada
Tell us how long you have and what you like. We'll lay out a realistic day-by-day drive with stops, drive times and local road notes.
Takes a few seconds — free for members.
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Canada is generally a safe destination for travelers.
- Exercise normal precautionin Canada.
- Crime
- Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing, and car break-ins or theft.
- Review our Travel Guidance for Canada to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
Driving there
Your permit in Canada
- Canada honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Canada
Road rules and winter equipment
Seat belts are mandatory, and handheld phone use while driving is prohibited. Right turns on red are generally allowed after a full stop unless signed otherwise, but not on Montréal Island. Winter-tire requirements vary by province and route; check local rules before a cold-weather trip.
Electronic tolls
Most roads are toll-free, but exceptions include Ontario's privately operated Highway 407 ETR. It uses electronic billing rather than cash booths; rental companies may add administration charges. Confirm the rental company's toll policy before using toll roads.
Fuel and remote distances
Fuel is sold by the litre, and most stations accept major payment cards. Fill up before remote stretches, especially in northern Canada and mountain regions, where stations may be far apart or close early. Confirm whether your rental requires gasoline or diesel.
Speed limits
Signs and speedometers use kilometres per hour. Limits are often 50 km/h in urban areas and 80–100 km/h on rural roads, with some divided highways posted at 110 or 120 km/h. Follow posted limits, including lower school-zone and construction-zone restrictions, and slow down for poor conditions.
Rentals and police checks
Carry your original valid driver's licence alongside your International Driving Permit; the permit does not replace your licence. Visitor-licence rules vary by province, and rental age, credit-card, and document requirements vary by company. Keep the rental agreement and insurance documents accessible. If police stop you, pull over safely, remain seated, and follow instructions.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Canada
Banff National Park
Alberta · About 1.5 hours from Calgary to Banff town, without stops.
Rocky Mountain scenery, turquoise lakes, and scenic roads; reserve parking or shuttles where required, as Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.
Niagara Falls
Ontario · About 1.5–2.5 hours from Toronto, depending on traffic.
Dramatic waterfalls, riverside viewpoints, and the scenic Niagara Parkway toward Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway
British Columbia · About 2 hours from Vancouver, excluding stops and traffic delays.
A memorable coastal-and-mountain drive with stops at Shannon Falls and Squamish.
Montmorency Falls
Québec · About 15–25 minutes from central Québec City.
An impressive waterfall with walking trails and a suspension bridge, easily combined with a drive around nearby Île d'Orléans.
Peggy's Cove
Nova Scotia · About 50–60 minutes from Halifax.
A classic Atlantic lighthouse and granite coastline; stay off wet or dark shoreline rocks because waves can sweep people into the sea.
Fundy National Park
New Brunswick · About 1–1.5 hours from Moncton to the Alma entrance.
Bay of Fundy coastal scenery, forest trails, and access to the fishing village of Alma; check tide times before exploring the shore.
Heading to Canada?
Apply online in about ten minutes. We print and mail your permit, and you can track it the whole way.