Best Border Crossing from Michigan into Canada

[Papa]

Trying to plan a nice ride to SITA from Chicago area. I am thinking of using the north route through Canada. What's the best place to cross into Canada? I was looking at Port Huron or Detroit area.

Also, any tips a Yank needs to know when riding in Canada? (Besides the obvious, passport, registration, insurance, switch to Km)

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[mxz600]

Trying to plan a nice ride to SITA from Chicago area. I am thinking of using the north route through Canada. What's the best place to cross into Canada? I was looking at Port Huron or Detroit area.

Also, any tips a Yank needs to know when riding in Canada? (Besides the obvious, passport, registration, insurance, switch to Km)

Thanks in advance for any help.

I don't have any riding tips other than to stay at the speed limit. And that's not miles per hour, that was hard for me.

I would take the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Easy on and off the bridge. I have never been through the Windsor tunnel but that is probably not to bad. A lot of traffic on both sides I believe. DO NOT take the Ambassador Bridge. Please do not put another dime in Matty Maroun's pocket. Plus it is a bit of a nightmare from what I understand, a lot of truck traffic. Trucks are not allowed through the Windsor Tunnel.

 

[Rando]

I would take the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Easy on and off the bridge.

I concur!

 

[Firefly]

Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron..... agree 1000000% :thumbup:

 

[Jayson]

I agree about the ambasitor bridge. Can't believe he is convincing so many people its a bridge to nowhere so he can maintain his cash cow. I'm sure Canadian's arnt very happy being called "nowhere"

 

[mxz600]

I agree about the ambasitor bridge. Can't believe he is convincing so many people its a bridge to nowhere so he can maintain his cash cow. I'm sure Canadian's arnt very happy being called "nowhere"

:welcome: Always good to see another Michigan Spyder.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

Problems with KPH? Pull over, and switch your display to kilometers in your settings. Should help.

 

[ARtraveler]

You beat me to the KPH question. It just takes about 5 seconds to change the :spyder2: over. That is a feature that I like a lot. Now you can run your :spyder2: at 100 sometimes and not even get into trouble. :roflblack:

 

[mxz600]

Problems with KPH? Pull over, and switch your display to kilometers in your settings. Should help.

Good call on switching over the display on the Spyder. I have only traveled in Canada on four wheels and my eyes just are not trained to look at that other set of numbers on the Speedometer.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The Blue Water Bridge is the way to go. Last year there was a lot of construction just before the bridge so be carseful there. Be sure to fill up your tank before you cross over as gas in Canada is very expensive. You'll hit a bunch of traffic around the Toronto area but then it gets very rural and pretty. When I went to SITA we took 401 there and came back via 3 around Lake Ontario with a side trip to Niagara Falls and then back across the Blue Water (I lived in West Michigan at the time) The ride around Lake Ontario was gorgeous and I would highly recommend it. However, the border crossing at Niagara Falls took a long time to get through.

Have a great time at SITA - I had a blast last year and wish I was able to go again this year.

 

[NorthStar]

Take the ferry across at Marine City/Sombra

I have crossed over from Michigan to Ontario using all of the various border crossings. (Ambassador Bridge/Detroit Windsor Tunnel/Bluewater Bridge, Walpole Island Ferry, Sombra Ferry)

The Sombra Ferry out of Marine City, Michigan to Sombra, Ontario has been the most convenient for us. The bridges can get very congested at various times and I find the short ferry ride better than waiting in traffic line ups at the border. The agents on both sides of the border tend to be very efficient and we have never had any issues using this route.

Crossing into New York State on your way to SITA can be done at either Fort Erie, Wolf Island up near Kingston, or the bridge at Prescott Ontario. I like the Wolf Island bridge (Thousand Islands area) entry into upper state NY, but that is just me.

In short you have options. Unfortunately, once you hit Ontario you will have a few more hours of slab riding before getting over to the twisties in upper state NY. Lots of options......

 

[teadave]

Port Huron will work best for you, unless small ferries are your thing. Take the one from Algonac Mi, and it lands on an Indian Reservation(Walpole Island). Used to take the kids across that way just because it was different than the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit/Windsor tunnel. Been across those more times than I can count. From there take highway 402 to 401 to 403 to the QEW. That will take you right to Buffalo-unless you skip off at 420 and take in Niagara Falls. Heading thru Canada is much shorter for you.

 

[retread]

From the Blue Water Bridge you've got 2 choices, Buffalo or the Thousand Islands, Buffalo puts you near Niagara, Thousand Islands may take a little longer, but the scenery is really great. I'd suggest going out one way, coming back the other.

john

 

[MMcc]

Into Canada

A word of caution. Make sure you do not have any DUI problems. My brother-in-law who no longer drives was with us and when they checked in the computer his status they found that he never completed the required DUI course from a few years back so he was not allowed to enter. Of course I wanted to leave him right there and continue the trip but the spouse's convinced me otherwise.

 

[Mspiv]

Maybe our Canadian friends can clarify this. Used to be you could not cross the border with a functional CB radio. I don't know how they handle built in radios. Maybe they don't care any more

 

[Tiny1]

Maybe our Canadian friends can clarify this. Used to be you could not cross the border with a functional CB radio. I don't know how they handle built in radios. Maybe they don't care any more

:thumbup: Not a problem. Truckers use them all the time as well.

 

[Buttsy]

Maybe our Canadian friends can clarify this. Used to be you could not cross the border with a functional CB radio. I don't know how they handle built in radios. Maybe they don't care any more

Hmm.........a functioning CB, have not heard that one before? Now a functioning radar detector in the province of Ontario I would reccomend leaving it at home.:lecturef_smilie:

Port Huron onto the 402 on the Canadian side is a lot less congested in my opinion. The construction going on in Windsor in anticipation of the new bridge we are loaning you Michigonians the money for is a real bummer. Port Huron to the 402 is the way to go or the 'ferries" the others speak of sounds kinda cool as well.

Enjoy your trip and your time in Canada.........beware going through Toronto, lots of traffic and totally absent minded numb skulls on the road. Once past Oshawa as someone already mentioned the road starts to have a more calming appeal to it.:thumbup: