Why Parking Sucks in Toronto (And Almost Everywhere Else)

If you’ve ever driven into downtown Toronto—or honestly, any major city—you already know: parking sucks. It’s expensive, it’s stressful, and it eats up far more of your time (and sanity) than it should. And while Toronto is one of the worst offenders, the truth is that parking headaches are a shared experience across big cities and even their suburbs.

But why does parking feel like such a broken system? And more importantly—what can we do about it?

The Parking Paradox

On the surface, it doesn’t make sense. Cities like Toronto are paved with parking spaces: on streets, in garages, behind businesses, and tucked into residential driveways. Yet somehow, drivers circle blocks endlessly, fighting over the same scarce spots.

This is the “parking paradox”: too many cars competing for spaces in the most popular areas, while plenty of private or underused parking sits idle nearby. It’s not that there aren’t enough spots—it’s that the system for using them is outdated.

Why Parking in Cities Feels Broken

Let’s break down a few reasons:

1. Demand is concentrated. Everyone wants to park in the same places—near offices, restaurants, and events. That leads to overfilled garages while less convenient options sit empty.

2. It’s expensive. In downtown Toronto, parking can cost as much as a nice dinner. Even suburban malls and plazas are catching on, charging fees where they once offered free parking.

3. Time wasted. Studies show drivers in big cities can spend 20–30 minutes circling for a spot. That’s time lost from your day, not to mention extra fuel burned.

4. The stress factor. Few things spike frustration like being late for a meeting or reservation because you can’t find a place to leave your car.

5. Suburban spillover. Even outside city cores, parking isn’t easy. Growing suburbs are designed around cars, but spots near transit hubs, schools, and busy shopping areas are often completely full.

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Why Shared Parking Makes Sense

Here’s the thing: while drivers fight for the same public or commercial spots, private spaces sit empty all the time. Think of:

• A homeowner with half a driveway unused.

• A business with extra spots after hours.

• A condo building with resident-owned spaces sitting vacant.

These are prime examples of idle assets that could make parking dramatically easier, cheaper, and more efficient—if shared.

Platforms like Parker unlock these underused spaces, creating a system that actually works. Instead of circling endlessly, drivers can book a spot ahead of time in areas where traditional parking is scarce. Spot owners earn extra income, and drivers save time, money, and stress.

The Bigger Picture

Shared parking doesn’t just solve individual headaches. It’s also good for cities:

• Less congestion. Fewer cars circling the block means less traffic.

• Lower emissions. Less idling and circling = less pollution.

• Smarter use of space. Instead of paving over more land for new lots, we make better use of what already exists.

The Bottom Line

Parking in Toronto (and big cities everywhere) sucks because the system hasn’t caught up to the way we live. Demand is high, supply feels limited, and drivers are stuck paying too much for too little.

But the solution isn’t always to build more parking—it’s to rethink how we use the spaces we already have. Shared parking through networks like Parker takes the pain out of the process, making cities more accessible, suburbs less frustrating, and everyday life just a little less stressful.

Because parking doesn’t have to suck.