Border crossing into Canada from USA

[Jeff F]

The 1st Monday in August is a holiday in Ontario & Quebec, I believe. That whole long weekend will be busy at border crossings. August 3-5 this year.

You've got some good advice above but FWIW here's a few more random thoughts.

If you cross at SSM, the Mackinac Bridge is worth riding over. https://www.mackinacbridge.org Its an impressive structure and a memorable part of travelling in that area.

You can make time, if that's the objective, through that southern part of Michigan on I-75 versus skipping the bridge and travelling west thru the UP (upper Mich).

I agree about seeing Niagara Falls if its been awhile however that area can be congested. There are 3 border crossings in the area, Queenston / Lewiston, Whirlpool, and Buffalo/Ft Erie.

Whirlpool is restricted to Nexus cardholders only. Having a Nexus card is a good way to speed your crossing anywhere... if you don't already have.

Between Buffalo & Q/L, Buff is usually the least busy.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Being close to the border and having crossed mega times, timing is everything but also the point of crossing will help.

eg. I usually avoid Rainbow Bridge (scenic falls/gorge view but I've done it a ton of times) so going a few miles more North is Lewiston, usually way less contested and a much quicker crossing.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip, eh!

 

[ionbeam]

I always let them know I'm carrying a big can of bear spray and they haven't even asked to see it.

Glad that works for ya. The following quote is not mine, it's from border crossing information.

"Pepper spray, however, under its prohibited classification, is not allowed into the country. If you are caught in (or going into) Canada with pepper spray, you could be prosecuted and potentially imprisoned."

All I can say is that when the border agents found Joe's pepper spray his day started to suck. We backed up 20-30 feet and tried to look like we didn't know him

 

[Bungie]

Being close to the border and having crossed mega times, timing is everything but also the point of crossing will help.
eg. I usually avoid Rainbow Bridge (scenic falls/gorge view but I've done it a ton of times) so going a few miles more North is Lewiston, usually way less contested and a much quicker crossing.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip, eh!

Crossing at Lewiston involves paying two tolls. One on the bridge getting there, and the second afterwards. But your right, Lewiston is generally the fastest crossing.

I'm confused about something though. I knew about Peace Bridge, Queenston/Lewiston and Niagara, but now I see their is a 4th? Bluff? Nexus only? Unless Bluff IS Niagara? No Nexus required.

 

[Top_Speed1]

I think they're talking Buff (Buffalo) as in Peace Bridge.

 

[Jeff F]

Yup, if you're looking at my post Buff = Peace Bridge. And Niagara Falls (Whirlpool Bridge) is Nexus cardholders only and isn't open 24 hours.

Sorry for the confusion.

I've had lousy luck crossing at Queenston/Lewiston this year ... A couple of lengthy delays. Peace Bridge has been quick. Timing is everything I guess.

 

[Bungie]

Yup, if you're looking at my post Buff = Peace Bridge. And Niagara Falls (Whirlpool Bridge) is Nexus cardholders only and isn't open 24 hours. Sorry for the confusion. I've had lousy luck crossing at Queenston/Lewiston this year ... A couple of lengthy delays. Peace Bridge has been quick. Timing is everything I guess.

Ah, got it. I've crossed at Niagara (Whirlpool) with no Nexus at least twice in the last 12 months. Is this a new policy?

My next crossing will be at the International Bridge at Sault Saint Marie in exactly 4 weeks <wahoo!>

 

[Jeff F]

I thought it had been Nexus only for some time. Not sure how long its been restricted ...

The Quote below is from https://niagarafallsbridges.com/which_bridge.php3

Restrictions

Commercial vehicles (trucks) are not permitted.

The Whirlpool Bridge is reserved for subscribers to NEXUS, a program for pre-approved clearance.

 

[JR'SFJR]

ionbeam

Agree. I've heard the same thing about small pepper sprays. Somehow, year's ago, I learned the big bear spray can I carry for backpacking was ok in Canada. It's so funny that they let a big cans through, but get all excited about a small ones???

 

[Bungie]

Okay, I'm confused as all hell. Their appears to be 4 crossings, not 3.

I've crossed at the Rainbow bridge the two times I spoke about. Its a flat bridge and has a great view of the falls. The Peace bridge is much further south at Port Erie. North is Queenston-Lewiston. Yet they make specific mention of the Whirlpool bridge. between the Rainbow bridge and Queenston. Leaving the Peace bridge out of the equation.

https://traffic.calit2.net/border/border-wait-times.php?type=passenger&sub=standard&port=090101#

Shows 4 crossings.

 

[Top_Speed1]

NEXUS holders take Whirlpool Rapids

Location
The Whirlpool Bridge connects the commercial zones and downtown districts of Niagara Falls, N.Y., with Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Primary U.S. highway feeder is Interstate 190 to Ontario Avenue.
Primary Canadian highway feeder is the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) to Highway 420 to Bridge Street.
Highway and roadway directional signs on both sides of the border direct you to the bridge you want.

Restrictions
Commercial vehicles (trucks) are not permitted.
The Whirlpool Bridge is reserved for subscribers to NEXUS, a program for pre-approved clearance. NEXUS speeds border crossings and is open to residents of both the U.S. and Canada.

Number of Customs inspection lanes
Hours of Operation
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Two car lanes into the U.S.
One car lane into Canada

How Do I Apply for NEXUS?
For more information on the NEXUS program, call 1-866-NEXUS26 (1-866-639-8726)
Information on NEXUS, including the application form, is also available at www.cbsa.gc.ca/nexus

 

[jcyuhn]

You can also cross over lower in Michigan. As much as I like the U.P. and Mackinac bridge, the ride on I-75 is at best nothing to write home about. If you time it wrong, it can be bumper to bumper traffic for 200 miles.

The Blue Water bridge crosses from Port Huron, MI to Sarnia, ON. It is heavily congested during the day, so not recommended unless you are looking at a night crossing.

There is a ferry across the St. Clair river between Marine City, MI and Sombra, ON. I've never seen it backed up, it's what my Canuck friends use to avoid the big bridge.

 

[worldbound4now]

The plan was south from SSM, over Mackinac bridge, then meander down the western half of MI, cut over into IL and southward back home to TX.

 

[Geezer]

The plan was south from SSM, over Mackinac bridge, then meander down the western half of MI, cut over into IL and southward back home to TX.

There are some nice roads along the western side of Michigan, particularly if you follow the lake shore.

 

[yamafitter]

Okay, I'm confused as all hell....

and this is new how???

Starting upriver the first crossing for motor vehicles is the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie / Buffalo) Canadian access is QEW and from Buffalo off the I190.

The second crossing is the Rainbow Bridge immediately below Niagara Falls. Canadian access is from Hwy 420 and from Hwy 384 on the US side.

The third crossing in the Whirlpool Bridge and is roughly 2 km downstream from the Rainbow Bridge. Access on the Canadian side is from the Niagara Parkway near Bridge St and off of Whirlpool Rd on the American side. The Whirlpool Bridge is NEXUS only.

The final crossing (4th) across the Niagara River is the Queenston / Lewistown Bridge with access on the Canadian side from Hwy 405 and I190 on the wrong side.

All the bridges other than the Whirlpool Bridge are 24/7 operations. The Whirlpool Bridge hours are 7AM - 11PM. There are other conditions to using the Whirlpool Bridge that are discussed here.

In case you are still confused the Niagara River flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and which makes the downstream direction to the north. If you are still confused I'm sorry but the type of help you need is outside of my skill set.

 

[Bungie]

Got it. There it is, written on the Interweb. It must be true.

Funny, I'd never heard of the Whirlpool crossing before.

 

[Intech]

A coworker that used to live in the area told me that the Peace bridge is backed up early in the morning with car and truck traffic. Is that true?

 

[Charlie Hoss]

I always let them know I'm carrying a big can of bear spray and they haven't even asked to see it.

Glad that works for ya. The following quote is not mine, it's from border crossing information.

"Pepper spray, however, under its prohibited classification, is not allowed into the country. If you are caught in (or going into) Canada with pepper spray, you could be prosecuted and potentially imprisoned."

All I can say is that when the border agents found Joe's pepper spray his day started to suck. We backed up 20-30 feet and tried to look like we didn't know him

My brother and a friend towed his Austin Healey 100 from Austin, TX to a rally in Quebec last week. He crossed at Thousand Islands, They weren't busy, noticed the Texas plates, figured they just might be rednecks and proceded to search thru their SUV. They asked about weapons, naturally he said "no".A while later a bunch of agents came in and said they found a small pepper spray. He didn't know anything about it (Yeah, they all say that!). They fined him $500 which he had to put on his credit card. The charge was for "smuggling". They were more pissed that he lied to them than they were about the Mace. He asked how he could lie about it if he didn't know it was there. After he paid them they said "Have a nice vacation in Canada." He said that wouldn't be possible thanks to them and he would never come back again.

 

[Bounce]

My dad had an Austin Healey 100 when I was but a your sprout. Fun to ride in. Sad to lose ball caps and balloons from.

 

[Top_Speed1]

So last month for CFR. Me and Steamer, zero problems. Show license and passport, answer a couple of basic q's and off you go.

Rainbow bridge upon entry to Canada was less than 10mins @9:15am/Thurs.

Thousand Islands on US return about 20mins @12 noon/Sun.

One note of interest. Our Bike to Bike Comm systems got jammed upon entry at both inspection booths. Waiting in line it works fine but as soon as we approached the inspector... jammed! ...I understand why with buddy smugglers n all but it kinda took us by surprise. After pass through, bamm, back on yapping and happy.