Commute Guide
Commuting to Toronto
from Durham Region
How do people in Durham Region get to downtown Toronto? Most lakeshore commuters take the GO Transit train on the Lakeshore East line, while drivers use the 401 and 407 corridors. This guide covers the train schedule, the driving routes, and what commuting looks like from Port Perry, Uxbridge, Brock, and the rest of North Durham.
By Keith Williams & Lisa C. Follows, Brokers, Willows Realty Group
By Rail
GO Transit: the Lakeshore East line
GO Transit's Lakeshore East line serves Durham at Pickering GO, Ajax GO, Whitby GO and Durham College Oshawa GO. Trains run west through Rouge Hill, Guildwood, Eglinton, Scarborough and Danforth before arriving at Union Station in downtown Toronto.
Service runs all day, seven days a week, with more frequent trains in weekday peak periods, including express runs that skip intermediate stations. Peak-hour Lakeshore East service runs about every 15 minutes (service enhanced October 2025).
A typical weekday morning trip
In a published weekday schedule, a 6:23 a.m. departure from Durham College Oshawa arrives at Union Station at 7:27 a.m., calling at Whitby at 6:28 a.m., Ajax at 6:36 a.m. and Pickering at 6:41 a.m. From Oshawa the trip is roughly an hour; from Pickering it is about 45 to 50 minutes. Express trains are faster.
Source: GO Transit published schedule.
Source for peak-hour frequency: GO Transit service update, October 2025.
The 6:23 a.m. run, station by station
Single published weekday schedule shown. Check current GO Transit timetables for today's departure times.
By Car
Driving to Toronto
Port Perry is about 85 km from downtown Toronto, a drive of roughly 1 hour 6 to 10 minutes by car in good traffic. Times grow quickly in rush hour, so most daily commuters plan around GO Transit instead.
Source: driving distance and time calculators (85 km; approx. 1h06-1h10).
Highway 401
The 401 runs along Durham's southern edge, with exits serving Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington. It is the main free route into Toronto, and the busiest.
Highway 407
The 407 toll route crosses the region from Pickering east through Oshawa and into Clarington. The tolls buy a faster, less congested drive for those who use it regularly.
412 & 418
The 412 and 418 connect the 401 and 407 within Durham, giving drivers quick north-south links between the two main east-west corridors.
The Country Option
Commuting from North Durham
There is no direct GO rail service into Port Perry, Uxbridge, Brock or Beaverton. For these communities, the commute to Toronto is a combination of driving and transit, and the practical options depend on where you live.
From Port Perry, the practical options are driving to Whitby GO or Oshawa GO (about a 30-minute drive), taking GO bus Line 905 to Whitby GO and then the Lakeshore East train to Union (about two hours door-to-door), or driving the 401/407 corridors. From Uxbridge and Brock, residents drive south to GO stations or the 401/407 corridors.
From Port Perry
- Drive to Whitby GO or Oshawa GO, about a 30-minute drive, then take the train to Union.
- Take GO bus Line 905 to Whitby GO, then the Lakeshore East train to Union: about two hours door-to-door.
- Drive the 401/407 corridors for the whole trip when you need the car in the city.
From Uxbridge & Brock
Residents of Uxbridge and Brock drive south to GO stations or to the 401/407 corridors, then continue by rail or road into Toronto, depending on the day and the destination.
Summing It Up
The bottom line
For daily downtown commuters, the lakeshore communities of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa offer the strongest rail connection, with an hour or less on the train. North Durham towns trade direct rail access for more space and a quieter pace of life, with commutes that combine a drive to the line with a GO train into the city. The right fit depends on how often you need to be downtown, where you work, and how much variety you want in the trip.
Commuting is only one part of the moving decision. Pair this guide with our overview of major employers in Durham Region to see where the region's jobs are, then compare home prices across communities and run the numbers on your next move with our mortgage calculator. Weighing the full move from the city? Our guide to moving from Toronto to Durham Region covers the practical steps, and the cost of living comparison puts the Durham and Toronto numbers side by side.
Market Snapshot
Compare prices, sales and inventory across Durham's communities.
Mortgage Calculator
Estimate monthly payments for homes in any Durham community.
Major Employers
Who anchors Durham's economy, from healthcare to energy to education.
Compare Communities
See Port Perry, Uxbridge, Brock, Whitby, Oshawa and more side by side.
Let's Talk
Plan your commute
Whether you are weighing GO Transit times against a driving route, or wondering which community fits your work life best, we can help you match the commute to the right neighbourhood.
Call today to talk about your next move! Call Lisa or Keith at 905-985-9898.