Which border crossing (into Canada) is faster?

[Steve]

My parents and I are driving up to Toronto this weekend for my brother's wedding, leaving Chicago early Friday morning. I've typically taken the Detroit crossing for my trips to Ontario. Yes, the Ambassador Bridge can get backed up, but you generally make it through in about half an hour.

Both Google and Yahoo maps suggest driving up through Lansing and crossing at Sarnia to get to Toronto. Google says this route saves five minutes.

Anyone know what the Sarnia crossing is like? Is there an advantage to taking a relatively unfamiliar (but apparently simple) route like this, will the border crossing take a reasonable amount of time?

 

[BurnItDwn]

I've never been through that way, but I can think of one advantage, you don't have to drive through lovely Detroit....

 

[BassBomb]

Depending on the time of day, the traffic in Det will most likely hit you with little to none in Sarnia.

Going through detroit -> windsor -> london
leaves you with better options should you find yourself needing to stop for the night or food

 

[meltdown75]

i find bridge / tunnel traffic to only be bad during rush hours and weekend rushes. or any time Canucks are trying to get to a Detroit sports event

i think the time you're coming through, you wouldn't hit any tie-ups, bridge or tunnel - in Detroit / Windsor.

the 401 heading out of Windsor is closed on Dougall Ave - kind of a pain in the ass. if you took the bridge and Huron Church Rd, that would be your best bet getting through to the 401 right now IMO.

there are lane closures on the 401 outside of Windsor for a few kms - if you end up coming through that way - watch the posted limits. it's a crazy speed trap right now.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Well, considering the route and destinations, I'd say Lansing-->Sarnia could offer an advantage, on the safe assumption that either the Detroit highways are gridlocked and/or the bridge is backed up. If traffic was moving smoothly I doubt either route would offer too much of an advantage.

 

[iamwiz82]

I'd go I-69 through Port Huron.

 

[Slick5150]

Sarnia can definitely back up on Friday's from people doing a weekend in Canada, but its usually not TOO bad. I'd probably go through Detroit to be honest.

 

[iamwiz82]

FYI, Smokey Robinson is having a concert in Windsor that evening, so I'd assume you will see a lot of traffic crossing into Canada during the afternoon.

 

[Steve]

Thanks all, I'm thinking we may go the Sarnia route for a change

 

[Marinski]

I'd probably go through the D. Last time I was up near Sarnia, which was recently, it was a mess.

 

[SirStev0]

Doesn't everyone feel so much safer that is now a pain in the ass to get into canada.

 

[Steve]

Just to follow up, the crossing into Canada at Port Huron/Sarnia was awesome. We were through in under ten minutes, and that included the lineup for Customs.

The way back, however, sucks. The highway (402) leading to the Customs lineup gets down to two lanes due to a narrow overpass that everybody has to drive under, so the lineup gets seriously bottlenecked.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: Steve
Just to follow up, the crossing into Canada at Port Huron/Sarnia was awesome. We were through in under ten minutes, and that included the lineup for Customs.

The way back, however, sucks. The highway (402) leading to the Customs lineup gets down to two lanes due to a narrow overpass that everybody has to drive under, so the lineup gets seriously bottlenecked.

Try that in a big rig. Coming back can be a full day just to get across the border at the busier port of entries. Glad I don't do that anymore.