Toronto 
Barton Street East in Hamilton has once again been named the worst road in Ontario.
Barton Street East in Hamilton/Credit: CAA
The road took the top spot in CAA’s 2026 Worst Roads campaign, marking the third time it has ranked first on the provincial list. The annual campaign is based on nominations from Ontarians who use these roads every day and want to flag problem areas for repair.
CAA South Central Ontario said this year’s results point to familiar concerns: potholes, poor maintenance and uneven road surfaces. Those issues were raised by road users across the province, including in Toronto, where four roads made the top 10.
Brian Pirvu, government relations consultant for CAA South Central Ontario, said the campaign gives residents a way to point out roads that need attention. He said public feedback helps governments understand where infrastructure investments are needed to keep communities safe and moving.
The 2026 top 10 list includes Barton Street East in Hamilton, Hurontario Street in Mississauga, Notre Dame Avenue in Greater Sudbury, Sider Road in Fort Erie, Steeles Avenue East in Toronto, Sheppard Avenue West in Toronto, Panache Lake Road in Greater Sudbury, Bathurst Street in Toronto, Unwin Avenue in Toronto and 6th Line in Innisfil.
CAA also released regional results. Steeles Avenue East topped the Toronto region, while Hurontario Street led the Halton, Peel, York and Durham region. Carling Avenue was named the worst road in the Ottawa region, and Notre Dame Avenue topped the Northern region.
The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario verified the provincial top 10 list. Nadia Todorova, RCCAO’s executive director, said the results show how aging infrastructure affects residents and why steady investment in road repairs remains important.
CAA said roads that appear on the list often receive faster attention from governments responding to local concerns.
Ontario’s Top 10 Worst Roads for 2026
- Barton Street East, Hamilton
- Hurontario Street, Mississauga
- Notre Dame Avenue, Greater Sudbury
- Sider Road, Fort Erie
- Steeles Avenue East, Toronto
- Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto
- Panache Lake Road, Greater Sudbury
- Bathurst Street, Toronto
- Unwin Avenue, Toronto
- 6th Line, Innisfil
Ontario’s Worst Roads by Region for 2026
- Toronto Region – Steeles Avenue East
- Halton, Peel, York, Durham Region – Hurontario Street, Mississauga
- Hamilton Region – Barton Street East
- Ottawa Region – Carling Avenue
- Central Region – 6th Line, Innisfil
- Eastern Region – Leveque Road, South Frontenac
- Western Region – Ira Needles Boulevard, Waterloo
- Southwestern Region – Blackwell Sideroad, Sarnia
- Niagara Region – Sider Road, Fort Erie
- Northern Region – Notre Dame Avenue, Greater Sudbury
