Border crossing woes?

[kmmum]

We are leaving on the 24th of August for beautiful Buffalo to prepare for our flight to Disney the following day. Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to leave home until after lunch time on the 24th which we can foresee as being a bit of a problem as traffic will be a real pain. Can anyone suggest which would be the best border crossing to use with the least amount of wait and the least amount of discomfort caused by our ds screaming are we there yet and how much longer are we gonna sit here?

Please help!!!!

 

[NikP]

In order to determine the wait times at the bridges to USA from Niagara Falls check out this website before you go: http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/index.php3

Fort Erie also has a 1800 number to call for trafffic conditions. 1 800 715 6722.

I have not called the phone number before, so I can't tell you if they will give you information on all the bridges or not. The website gives info on Queenston, Rainbow and Peace bridge.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Just be greatful you aren't crossing in Sarnia the bridge seems to be backed up for up to 3 hours on teh weekends starting with Friday evenings. We went to Sarnia yesterday and the bridge was backed up almost back to Indian Rd.

 

[101DalmFan]

I posted this # in another thread here

1-800-715-6722

This number gives you the wait times for all 3 border crossings south of Toronto: Queenston-Lewiston, Rainbow (in Niagara Falls) and the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie). It also gives the wait for both crossing into the U.S. and crossing back into Canada.

My best advice is to call the number when you get to St Catharines AND THEN -- and only then -- make your decision about where to cross. For example, I was down in Buffalo just yesterday, for a day trip (shopping!). As we were driving down, my girlfriend and I thought we would probably cross at Fort Erie, but I called the # as we approached St Catharines and learned the only crossing without a delay was Rainbow, so we crossed there instead.

The # is now programmed into my cell phone, my DH's, and all our friends too

 

[happycamper83]

I just got home from spending a week in the Niagara Falls area and crossed the border 6 times in that span (3 times at the Peace Bridge, 2 times at Rainbow, and 1 at Queenston/Lewiston).

There was never a delay coming back into Canada. Going into the US always had a wait... longest I waited was 30 minutes. Conditions are constantly changing, as you know.

One tip. There are info signs set up along the QEW that give bridge wait times.. HOWEVER, these signs never changed!!! They said the exact same times every time I drove by them (they always said the Q-L was 1-2 hr wait, with no delay at Peace). So I don't trust those signs too much. I am going to program that phone # into my cell phone from now on!!

 

[TheMickey6]

We're leaving for WDW on the 24th too (except we're flying from Detroit) even tho our flight is on the 25th at like 7:45 a.m! We're staying over night and taking a shuttle to the airport in the a.m... if any of that helps Best of Luck!

 

[nosnobunny2006]

If you look at the number of total gates available, the Peace Bridge has the most with 15, the Rainbow Bridge is next with 11 and the Lewiston has the least with 6.

Beth

 

[101DalmFan]

One other thing about that phone # that I posted ..... it also tells you how many booths are open at each crossing

 

[wannago2disney]

Just be greatful you aren't crossing in Sarnia the bridge seems to be backed up for up to 3 hours on teh weekends starting with Friday evenings. We went to Sarnia yesterday and the bridge was backed up almost back to Indian Rd.

forget just weekends and friday pm...trying to cross after 11am during the last month has been almost impossible...
we are thinking of paying the big bucks for nexus passes just so we don't have to wait when we get inspired to go over on a quick trip.

but I must say, the back ups have saved me lots of money lately as DH is already in the "hunting trip planning" state of mind and unlike last year we are not heading over every other day to pick up an absolutely new bit of gear that might be of use for the big hunt!

 

[Ham Ham]

Avoid the Lewiston crossing, construction, fewer inspection booths and rookie staff.

 

[disneyfan2]

before you head out, check these and plan accordingly
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/, for border wait times

check the compass maps to see trafic here:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/compass/camera/gcs/camhome.htm

search the other niagara hwys

 

[iluveeyore]

Just crossed in Fort Erie today at 2pm - looked like we'd have to wait a while, because the truck lane was lined up and only had one lane going across for all the cars, but once you're on the bridge in the car lane it only took us about 20 minutes as they had several lanes open for cars on the US side - so don't be too worried if it looks busy, as we kept moving and didn't sit long at all. Have a great trip!