Mickeyfan0805
SE Mass
Senior Member
Joined: 11/26/2009
View Profile
 Offline
|
We're headed from MA to MI this August. We can save 120 miles by traveling through Canada, but would have to deal with customs into, and out of, Canada (as well as having to arrange a 1-night stopover in Canada). Is it worth the hassle to save the miles, or are we better off to simply go around the lakes and stay in the US?
|
SWD
Land of Living Skies
Senior Member
Joined: 06/07/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Customs not usually a hassle coming in to Canada and usually good going back to the US. Fuel prices will be higher though, so...in the long run I'd say stay on the US side.
|
skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/17/2003
View Profile
|
I've never taken more than ten or fifteen minutes to clear customs in either direction if you're careful about WHERE you cross when when. 120 miles wold take a lot LONGER than that to travel. Guess it depends on how much value you put on saving an hour or so on the trip. One OTHER thing to keep in mind is you're apt to run into lower speed limits in the North side of the boarder so SOME of that time savings may not actually be there.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
|
n7bsn
Yes
Senior Member
Joined: 04/11/2004
View Profile
 Online
|
skipnchar wrote:I've never taken more than ten or fifteen minutes to clear customs in either direction if you're careful about WHERE you cross when when. ....
I take it you actually seldom cross. Back in the working days I crossed weekly, often with my choice of crossings (all lower main-land BC). Even with monitoring for crossing time (AM 1130) I have seen crossing times as short as 5 minutes, and as long as 2 hours. I've even seen long times during off period, that is few gates open, with unexpected heavy traffic.
Back to the O.P. I wouldn't, it will cost you more in gas (higher prices near and across the border), plus border crossing time
2008 F350SD V10 with an 2012 Arctic Fox 29-5E
When someone tells you to buy the same rig they own, listen, they might be right. When they tell you to buy a different rig then they own, really pay attention, they probably know something you don't.
|
shum02
Burlington ON CDA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/22/2005
View Profile
|
Well I'd fill up before hitting this side of the border and then save the 120 miles. If your truck can't do an easy 120 miles without fuel your tank is to small!
Depending on what crossing and the date and time of the crossing it could only take minutes.
2006 F350 Lariat FX4 CC 4x4 PSD
2007 KZ2505QSS-F Outdoorsman
Camping Pic's and Mods
Winter Camping Tips and Tricks
|
|
|
garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 07/24/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Do you have your passports? Required to enter the US.
2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad
Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered.
Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It
|
63-Coupe
Ontario
Full Member
Joined: 08/10/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Assuming from your message that you are crossing into Canada at Buffalo or Niagara Falls and going back into the U.S. at either Detroit or Port Huron you will be on divided highway for almost the whole way if you take QEW/403/401 & maybe 402 the speed limit will be 100kph or approx. 62 mph. There will be a short urban stretch in Windsor or Sarnia just before the U.S. border.
Fill up in the U.S. just before you cross and that should get you all the way through Canada. It would be about 250 miles to Detroit and a little shorter to Port Huron.
Don't forget to factor in the bridge tolls at the borders.
|
turninghawk
Orlando, FL
Senior Member
Joined: 09/11/2003
View Profile
|
I'd stay on the US side.
Also, why would you have to have a 1-night stopover in Canada?
|
JN_B
Calgary, Alberta
Senior Member
Joined: 06/12/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I`d stay in the states.
Look at it from the border patrol`s side.. Why did this guy cross for a couple hours then back into the states (logics aside). More prone to getting searched/delayed if it`s an odd situation.
2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD SLT
2010 K-Z Spree 318BHS
|
shum02
Burlington ON CDA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/22/2005
View Profile
|
garym114 wrote:Do you have your passports? Required to enter the US.
Enhanced drivers licence will do as well.
|
|
|
