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Detroit-Windsor crossing by auto

Replies: 7 - Last Post: Feb 13, 2013 7:32 AM Last Post By: Solly

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Solly

Solly avatar

Jan 6, 2013 10:29 PM
Posts:  24

Detroit-Windsor crossing by auto

Hi, I will be driving to Toronto, entering Canada at Windsor. I know there are two crossings, a tunnel and a bridge. Anyone have any experience which is the quickest? I have not entered Canada since the changes in border requirements, and only recall these crossings from many years ago. I do not recall how immigration is set up at these crossings or how a lot of traffic backup could be handled in this confined space. I have US passport. Don't know the time of day or day of week yet. Thanks.

henryk

henryk avatar

Jan 7, 2013 11:05 AM
Posts:  36

1

http://www.mapquest.ca/
The Ambassador Bridge is a lot better than the tunnel, less city street traffic. Another option is via Port Huron/Sarnia/402, which may be faster during the Detroit/Windsor rush hour (no city street traffic).

Solly

Solly avatar

Jan 7, 2013 12:04 PM
Posts:  24

2

Just what I need, thank you

RGM

RGM avatar

Jan 7, 2013 7:45 PM
Posts:  476

3

The time it takes to get to the Blue Water bridge in Sarnia (about 40 miles) may not make up for the sometimes very short wait at the Ambassador bridge.

It may make sense if coming from Chicago though but not if northbound on I-75..

Arexis

Arexis avatar

Jan 9, 2013 12:51 AM
Posts:  5

4

I had a better experience crossing the bridge than the tunnel. Watch out for the female border officers at the tunnel crossing though, they are particularly nasty.

Weaver

Weaver avatar

Jan 11, 2013 4:53 PM
Posts:  668

5

Early am crossing on the bridge used to be reasonably quick (Past 5 yrs.) Early or late helps to avoid the worst of the daily routine traffic.

stufried

stufried avatar

Jan 26, 2013 7:20 AM
Posts:  59

6

Most of the construction is over on the Ambassador Bridge. The so-called Gateway Project is finished which makes things a bit better. I live in Detroit and go to Toronto frequently. According to Google Maps, the travel time from Detroit to Toronto is one minute different via the 401 or the 402.

I prefer crossing at Windsor because there are more amenities off the 401 than the 402. It doesn't matter, they come together at London. If you are coming from Chicago and use the Port Huron/Sarnia crossing, give some thought to using I-69 and bypassing Detroit to get there.

Solly

Solly avatar

Feb 13, 2013 7:32 AM
Posts:  24

7

Good info, thank you
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