Driving from Toronto or Sault Ste Marie crossing

[greenclan67]

Has anyone done this? Eithier route, we can do eithier one, because we are right in the middle from both. We are 5.5 hours from Toronto area, or 3.5 hours from the Sault area. Also we are thinking of doing this Dec 27th to Jan 8th. Are we crazy to drive that route in the dead of winter? Any advice needed, and wanted. Or are we better off to get flights? We have always flown, never drove, but my hubby is not a great flyer, and said he would rather drive next year! TIA

 

[marius97]

I would think that that Toronto would be better. Especially in the winter, the faster you can head south, the better off you are. Heading to Sault St. Marie you'll be heading more into the lake effect snow areas. That is always a dicey proposition.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I are from the Toronto area and always cross at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit when driving down, so hopefully that helps.

 

[Sandi]

I would think you'd be better off going through Toronto and over the Peace Bridge and then south. Run driving directions off of Yahoo (or anything else) and I believe you'll save nearly 2 hours of driving time (which, when you're doing more than 24 hours is something).

My DH is like yours. He hates flying. I hate driving. I think I'd run numbers to see what flights would end up costing. My DH has a lot more flexibility with his time than I do. I don't want to spend my time in a car getting to a destination when I could be on vacation.

 

[krissyh]

If you do go the Toronto route and down through WNY - remember that there are three bridges to take. I live in WNY and usually try to avoid the Peace Bridge.
There is a toll-free phone number that has updated bridge conditions and wait times you have some flexibility.
The Lewiston-Queenston (which is what I go over when I go to Toronto) and Peace Bridge feed directly onto the I-190 which feeds to the NYS Thruway.
The Rainbow Bridge has easy access, but you have to go through both Niagara Falls Ontario and Niagara Falls NY (less on this side) city traffic.

If you go through NY, you will also be facing Lake-Effect possibilities from just south of Buffalo all the way down to PA as the Thruway runs along the lake.

I hate to fly and my advice is to FLY!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

And Sault St. Marie is at the very TOP of upper Michigan. I can't imagine that being a shorter route! Or did you mean Sarnia?

BobK/Orlando

 

[greenclan67]

Nope I meant Sault Ste Marie. I was just putting it out there. We eithier drive to Buffalo to fly, or we drive to Flint Mich to fly. We are actually in Orlando right now, and are leaving Friday. My hubby is having a fit cause we are flying again to go home Friday, and said next year he wants to drive. I have no desire, I would rather fly and get here, he thinks the drive would be nice to do once. Which would have been fine this trip ( March has been great weather in Canada) not so kind in Florida.
So the T.O route sounds better.
Thanks all.