She didn’t even refill it? To me that would just be proper manners.
I recently finished a sit that included the use of a car but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I put a total of 64km on the car. 32 km driving back to their house after going with them to the airport and then 32km driving it back to the airport on the day of my departure/their return. And I refilled it.
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True dat @Crookie
I live in Florida and when I drive down the turnpike to my brothers - 3 hours away, i never pass through a toll-booth and never see a sign. And yet, it costs me about $13.
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Not true. In Florida, its exactly as Steve described.
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That’s a pity. I can’t imagine using someone’s car and returning it less than full and freshly washed. It sounds to me like you were pretty clear and i think she did take advantage of your hospitality.
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You have clearly never driven in Denver then. It is very easy to miss that you are getting on a toll road.
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OK but OP responded there roads are marked clearly so not the case here.
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I have many times (we used to have a work location near Denver) and that is not my experience.
Please do review her honestly, for the rest of us that provide cars. Thank you and sorry for the experience.
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And I specifically joined THS for free lodging in exchange for pet and home care. The cost of a yearly membership is less than one night’s lodging at a hotel or Airbnb, which many of us (in the general population) can’t afford. I use THS for relaxing getaways, a change of scenery, a chance to meet up with a friend or relative in a particular area, and getting a new outlook on life with the wonderful companionship of pets I’m more than happy to dote on as an exchange. Keep in mind that if you can afford hotel or Airbnb vacations you are in a higher income bracket than some of us. And for those of us not as affluent, THS may be the only way we get to travel at all.
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And even if toll roads are posted with signs, in an unfamiliar place I think sometimes it’s pretty easy to get caught in highway spaghetti at speed and miss your off-ramp and not have a place to get turned around to get off it. You’re stuck in the traffic flow and it’s too late. My GPS has been adamantly told to keep me off toll roads 
… but in the absolute insanity of Dallas traffic, on two visits, I still had some moments of panic hurtling along like a red blood cell in an aorta, surrounded by a million other cars, with “toll” signs ahead… “did she remember about the tolls and where is she sending me?? I hope you know where we’re going…!!!” [yes I sometimes talk to her 
]
I’d’ve been in a mess without that device, sooo many times. So, giving the sitter the benefit of the doubt on the tolls, but I think OP should discuss it with her and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask her to pay for them.
@KallyMayzy (I guess I need to keep looking at reviews even after sitter confirmation.)
Should look at all the reviews BEFORE picking the sitter.
Sounds like lesson learned and, as you say, make sure all relevant details are discussed and agreed prior to the sit.
No, I wouldn’t lend the new car either.
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After confirmation??? Uh……you would get far better results reading them before choosing someone. I am always shocked at how little some people read any and all reviews, (sitters and homeowners alike). Many problems and issues could be prevented by a little due diligence. We have 12 Five star reviews as sitters and I always do my homework. The way I SCOUR every word…..I’m starting to think I could moonlight as a part-time private investigator. 
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I believe OP checks the reviews before confirming but that she is referring to reviews on sits that the sitter does after confirmation but before commencement of OP’s sit.
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That was how I understood the OP’s comment too @MaggieUU.
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Apologies to OP. I completely mis-read that. Thank you for clarifying!
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So sorry to hear what this sitter did, who paid for the insurance?
And this is why I don’t let sitters use my car. I point out places that are an easy carshare drive from the house. I point them to a local hourly bike rental kiosk, and let them know there’s car rental places not far away, if they want to take a carshare to them.
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I’d like to share with you all what I emailed the sitter:
Here’s the important lesson:
I think we both learned that the next time a homeowner offers their car, use it only for local and necessities. If you want to travel far and wide, rent your own car. That’s not what a homeowners’ car is for. I have had other sitters who understood this without me putting on limits. And I spoke to other homeowners who have the same understanding.
Thank you.
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You were very (perhaps too ?) forgiving and I admire your succinct e-mail.
My only question : What makes you say in your first sentence that she “learned” ?
Just wondering if she actually understood the egregiousness of her behaviour.
The reason I ask is that her response to your review sounds very defensive and not indicative of responsibility for her excessive car use.
Kudos to you for your honest review !
Any offer from the sitter to reimburse for tolls and/or fuel?