Crossing into Detroit Friday of March Break

[cygnus]

We are driving to Disney and will be hitting the Windsor/Detroit border around 5:30 p.m. on the Friday of March break. Does anyone have experience/advise on how busy it is crossing the border and then driving through Detroit at this time? We are trying to deicide if we should just stop for dinner and wait for awhile before crossing or push on through and stop for dinner on the other side of Detroit. Any advice? i.e. if we wait, what time would be a better crossing time

As an FYI we are planning to drive to Sidney OH which is about 2.5 to 3 hours past Detroit and then stop for the night.

Thanks,

Cygnus

 

[CDNmouse]

I haven't looked but look at the Detroit Red Wings schedule. If they play at home that night both the tunnel and the bridge can get a bit busy.

There is a lot of constuction right one on the US side of the bridge, all around the 1- 75.

That time of night you can also run into a bit of rush hour traffic heading home. (Not that many work in downtown Detroit anymore).

Even when there are not many cars in front of us the US border seems really slow anymore. I would say they average between 1 to 2 minutes per car so even a line with 10 cars in front of you can be a bit of a wait.

Just plan for extra border time any more I guess.

Gary

PS ... I think the windsor / Detroit tunnel is faster. No firm proof, I just have had better experiences there.

PSS .. see ya in Florida, we will be crossing the border on the Saturday.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

We have a PD day on Friday here so we will be crossing the border on Thursday night. Weather will dictate whether we cross at Buffalo or via Detroit. Bad weather means we'll take the 75, good weather means 90/77 etc. through the mountains.

 

[cygnus]

Thanks for the information and a good tip about the red wings schedule. Safe travels to all!

Cygnus

 

[Ham Ham]

We have a PD day on Friday here so we will be crossing the border on Thursday night. Weather will dictate whether we cross at Buffalo or via Detroit. Bad weather means we'll take the 75, good weather means 90/77 etc. through the mountains.

I always find it interesting when people say they will take I-75 "to avoid the mountains". Souther KY, Tennessee & norther GA are in the mountains, granted on I-79, US -19, I-77 you spend more time in the mountains.

I believe that you pass through higher elevations on I-75 in Tennessee, I may be wrong so keep you flame thrower holstered.

I'll take I-79, US -19, I-77 unless there is severe weather forecast for that route & if there is severe weather you can bet I-75 has probably been hit too.

Safe Driving folks!

 

[Hug the Mouse]

I always find it interesting when people say they will take I-75 "to avoid the mountains". Souther KY, Tennessee & norther GA are in the mountains, granted on I-79, US -19, I-77 you spend more time in the mountains.

I believe that you pass through higher elevations on I-75 in Tennessee, I may be wrong so keep you flame thrower holstered.

I'll take I-79, US -19, I-77 unless there is severe weather forecast for that route & if there is severe weather you can bet I-75 has probably been hit too.

Safe Driving folks!

We've actually never taken the I75 route to Florida (gone as far as Kentucky in summer), we've always taken 79/77 route. Though we usually travel in the fall. The 75 route (in the area we've travelled) seems to have more opportunities to pull off if the weather "goes south".

What would weigh in the decision is the lake effect snow coming off Erie (Most terrifying driving experience ever once in November on I90 between Erie and Buffalo) and storms through Pennsylvania/West Virginia/Virginia appalachians.

I guess the logic is that mountains further south are less likely to have snow than the northern states hilly/mountainous areas.

Preference is to take the usual route but have stop over hotels booked for each way and will firm up plans a couple days before departure.

Here's hoping for gentle weather for all travellers!!

 

[Bubbie]

I just crossed the detroit boarder last night(Friday) to see a Red Wing game.It took us 20 minutes to cross the bridge and clear customs @ 5:00pm. So I imagine it will be very busy for March break with people leaving for vacations. Don't forget shift change for customs is at 5:00pm.

 

[pkitty]

We will be crossing on Thursday night as well. I have been across the bridge around 5 but coming into Canada and the line up was about half an hour. It is rush hour but it should be fine.....see you on th I-75!