Cross at Windsor or Sarnia next Friday?

[tinkerbeth]

Yup, NEXT FRIDAY!

I can't believe it's so close. Does anyone have any advice as to which is the easier border? I know it's going to be busy but we were thinking that Windsor might be more crazy b/c people are going straight down the 401 and cross there...

Any thoughts or advice from past experience?

Thanks!

Beth

 

[digskat]

Hey Beth,
First of all I'm soo excited for you, have a wonderful time!! Secondly as for border crossing, where are you coming from and what time of day are you planning on crossing? Either Sarnia or Windsor is probably fine. We crossed at Sarnia because it was closer to our home (Goderich) and I'm familiar with Sarnia as I trained at Lambton College for Nursing. Check out www.mapquest.com and click directions, they are pretty good at giving you the closest route. I put in our address and the hotel's address( in FLorida) and it gave me directions the whole way down, which made it easier especially when we got to Florida. Have you got the book Along I-75? It was great if you are not familiar with driving on the interstate, which lane to be in etc. If not I highly reccommend. Have a Great time and good luck. PS we crossed over on a Friday at 9pm

 

[tinkerbeth]

Hiya,

I should have given more deets.

We're hoping to cross at about 5pm on Friday. Probably the worst time in the world. Never mind...it's worth it. We're coming from London, so Sarnia would be easy-peasy, but Windsor would be okay too.

Should I expect a looooooong wait?

I do have the I75 book...I should check what it says in there if anything.

Anyone else have any experience? If only we weren't teachers we'd go a day earlier but you need to pretty much be dead or abducted by aliens to take the Friday before March Break off.

Beth

 

[digskat]

Hi Beth,
I doubt the wait will be that long, more likely shorter than coming back into Canada, due to people crossing the border to work. If i were you I'd likely cross at Sarnia. Doing the mapquest thing however has you crossing at Winsor, crossing in Sarnia you will eventually circle back to this area here are the directions: from London to Orlando
Start out going EAST on COVENT MARKET PL toward KING ST. <0.1 miles Map

2: Turn LEFT onto KING ST. 0.2 miles Map

3: Turn RIGHT onto WELLINGTON ST. 0.7 miles Map

4: WELLINGTON ST becomes WELLINGTON RD S. 3.7 miles Map

5: Take the RTE-401 O/HWY-401 W ramp toward WINDSOR. 0.3 miles Map

6: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 401 W. 108.6 miles Map

7: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto TALBOT RD E/PROVINCIAL ROUTE 3 N. Continue to follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 3 N (Portions toll). 7.4 miles Map

8: PROVINCIAL ROUTE 3 N becomes AMBASSADOR BRIDGE. 0.7 miles Map

9: AMBASSADOR BRIDGE becomes W FISHER FWY. <0.1 miles Map

10: Take the I-96 W ramp toward I-94/LANSING. 0.5 miles Map

11: Take the US-12/MICHIGAN AVE exit. 0.1 miles Map

12: Turn LEFT onto MICHIGAN AVE/US-12. 0.1 miles Map

13: Merge onto I-75 S via the ramp on the LEFT toward I-75 S. 789.4 miles Map

14: Merge onto I-475 S/GA-408 S via EXIT 177 toward VALDOSTA. 15.5 miles Map

15: Merge onto I-75 S. 300.9 miles Map

16: Merge onto FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE S via EXIT 328 on the LEFT toward ORLANDO (Portions toll). 42.2 miles Map

17: Take the SR-408 TOLL E exit- EXIT 265- toward ORLANDO/TITUSVILLE. 0.7 miles Map

18: Merge onto FL-408 E/EAST WEST EXPY (Portions toll). 9.6 miles Map

19: Take EXIT 10B toward SR-527/ORANGE AVE. 0.2 miles Map

20: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E LUCERNE CIR. 0.1 miles Map

21: Turn RIGHT onto S ORANGE AVE/FL-527 N. Continue to follow FL-527 N. 0.3 miles Map

22: Turn LEFT onto E SOUTH ST/FL-15 N. Continue to follow E SOUTH ST. 0.2 miles Map

23: End at Orlando, FL US Map

 

[maryliz]

Hi Beth. I think that both will be busy, but to be honest, I would take Windsor over Sarnia. I've crossed on the Friday before March break at Sarnia before and it was horrendous. We were lined up way back on the 402. I just think that Windsor has more capability to handle the extra capacity than Sarnia does. And I think Windsor does a better job of separating the truck traffic versus the cars. Just MHO.

Just be prepared for a very long wait -- could be well over an hour. And if you're expecting it, and it's better than you thought, well then

Have a great time! And safe travels!

Mary-Liz

 

[barb45]

What's the date for the start of your March break? We are going Friday, March 11 and we are from Windsor (so definitely crossing here). I dread what bridge traffic will be like but we are leaving as early as possible - but probably will be at the bridge around 5 ish. Coming back will be a monster too. I think it is the luck of the day with both crossings. If it is possible to get a traffic report before you leave you might stand a better chance of making the right choice. It's just like the lines at the supermarket - just don't get into the one I'm in because it will be the slowest!! We have long bridge tie-ups one minute and the next it's clear again - who knows. My sister works at the duty free in Sarnia and it's the same thing there - you never know when it is going to back up. Good luck with it though - just tack an extra hour into your estimates and if you get through faster - bonus!

 

[tinkerbeth]

Hiya,

We wondered about whether Detroit might have better capacity to handle the crowds...looks like we'll likely go that way. I'm not too worried about the wait...we're going to have a DVD player in the car so we can watch all our DISNEY favourites of course. I CAN'T WAIT!

Beth

 

[WDWBOB1]

The good news Tinkerbeth is I haven't heard of any outrageous waits at either the bridge or tunnel lately. The bad news is you'll be hitting rush hour traffic in Detroit. But...crossing at Windsor should put you in a better position than crossing at Sarnia for Detroit rush.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi I hope someone will answer soon. We are Leaving early tomorrow morning,and still have not decided wich bridge to cross. Have always done the Detroit bridge, but people say that Port Huron is easier. And THAT DARN SNOW

 

[maryliz]

Hi I hope someone will answer soon. We are Leaving early tomorrow morning,and still have not decided wich bridge to cross. Have always done the Detroit bridge, but people say that Port Huron is easier. And THAT DARN SNOW

Because of the snow, if it's really no difference time-wise for you, I'd take Windsor instead of Sarnia. I hate the 402,and in a snow storm, it's awful.
Just MHO.

Have a safe journey!

MaryLiz

 

[MikeJ]

All things being equal, I will always cross at Sarnia. Even with the potential for a backup in truck traffic on the 402 we've never had more than a 15-20 minute wait at the Bluewater bridge. Once you're into Port Huron, take I94 to Detroit and pick up I75 south there.

Having said that, I would be very hesitant to drive the 402 today with all the streamers coming down off Lake Huron. When there's any kind of blowing snow that road, particularly in the Arkona/Watford area, can be treacherous. The advantage to the 402 is that once you've crossed in to the States you're now into the windward side of the lakes and much less likely to see lake-effect snow that you are in Ontario. And the higher speed limits on I94 mean you can really fly into Detroit.

- Mike