Durham Highway Speed Limits are set to increase on several major routes as Ontario continues expanding 110 km/h zones across the provincial highway network.
The changes are part of a broader provincial plan to raise posted speeds from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on hundreds of kilometres of highway.
For Durham Region motorists, some of the most significant changes affect Highway 401, Highway 407, Highway 412, Highway 418 and Highway 115.
The increases are being introduced in stages through August and September.
Highway 115 Change Starts Aug. 21
One of the first Durham-area changes arrives on Aug. 21.
The posted speed limit on Highway 115 from Highway 35 to the Parkway Interchange will increase to 110 km/h.
This corridor is important for motorists travelling between Clarington and areas farther north and east.
The change is part of the first group of new higher-speed highway sections taking effect later this week.
Major Highway 401 Increase Begins Aug. 31
A much larger change affecting Durham Region is scheduled for Aug. 31.
The speed limit on Highway 401 from Highway 404 to Highway 35/115 will rise to 110 km/h.
That section covers a large stretch of the eastern GTA and includes the Highway 401 corridor serving:
- Pickering
- Ajax
- Whitby
- Oshawa
- Clarington
The new limit will therefore affect many daily commuters, commercial drivers and long-distance travellers moving through Durham Region.
Other Highway 401 sections elsewhere in Ontario are also included in the Aug. 31 rollout.
Highway 407, 412 and 418 Changes Coming Sept. 30
Another major group of Durham Highway Speed Limits will change on Sept. 30.
The province plans to raise the limit to 110 km/h on:
- Highway 407 from Brock Road to Highway 35/115
- Highway 412 from Highway 401 to Highway 407
- Highway 418 from Highway 401 to Highway 407
These routes form important connections through Durham Region.
Highway 412 serves Whitby and connects Highway 401 with Highway 407.
Highway 418 provides a similar north-south connection in Clarington.
The Highway 407 increase will cover a significant east-west portion of the toll highway through Durham.
Together, the changes will create a broader network of 110 km/h highways across the region.
Province Says Roads Were Reviewed for Higher Speeds
Ontario says it only increases posted speed limits on highways that have been designed and engineered to safely accommodate higher travel speeds.
The province says the selected sections undergo technical reviews and, where required, infrastructure improvements before the new limit is implemented.
The government has also said much of Ontario’s freeway network was originally designed to accommodate speeds of 110 km/h.
The latest expansion follows previous increases introduced on other highways in 2022 and 2024.
Nearly 89% of Highway Network to Reach 110 km/h
Once all announced changes are implemented by the end of September, Ontario says almost 89 per cent of its highway network will have a posted speed limit of 110 km/h.
That represents a significant increase from the approximately 43 per cent that had the higher limit when the latest expansion was announced in June.
The province says the goal is to improve travel efficiency while maintaining safety standards.
Drivers Still Need to Follow Conditions
A higher posted limit does not mean motorists should always travel at the maximum speed.
Drivers are still expected to adjust their speed based on traffic, weather, construction and road conditions.
This is particularly important across Durham Region, where Highway 401 and other major routes regularly experience construction, lane restrictions and heavy commuter traffic.
Drivers should also watch for signage showing when the new speed limits officially take effect.
Durham Drivers Will See Changes Over Several Weeks
The Durham Highway Speed Limits rollout will not happen all at once.
For local motorists, the main dates are:
- Aug. 21: Highway 115 from Highway 35 to Parkway Interchange
- Aug. 31: Highway 401 from Highway 404 to Highway 35/115
- Sept. 30: Highway 407, Highway 412 and Highway 418 sections serving Durham Region
Once complete, many of Durham Region’s busiest provincial highways will operate with posted limits of 110 km/h.
