ON border crossing - Kingston or Queenston

[bunnyfoo]

I'm driving to Boston next weekend and wasn't sure which border crossing to use. Just wondering if one is faster (shorter lineups) than the other. I'm in midtown Toronto so I think both are about the same distance from me. Does anyone have a preference for either crossing. Most likely we'll be going over on a Saturday morning.

TIA!

 

[adamsloco]

I've crossed the border at both of these locations, without any incident or problems, or long waits. Crossing at Kingston is going out of the way, I think. Queenston is the most direct route. I think I would go the Niagara Falls way, because there are three possible crossings there (Queenston-Lewiston, Rainbow Bridge and the Peace Bridge). Less chance of getting stuck.

If it is just wait times, I would suggest looking at the American Border Info site (Alexandria Bridge is the one at Kingston) for travelling in to the States, and referring to Canadian Border Wait Times for your return trip.

Have some Clam Chowder for me!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the link Adam! I don't suppose you have any restaurant recommendations I went onto Chowhound and it seems like every restaurant is Italian or a pub.

 

[adamsloco]

Restaurants I can't help you with, sorry. Been across the border at every border crossing in Ontario, but I have never been in Boston proper. Imagine that!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would cross at Queenston because it's less of a drive to there then going all the way to Kingston. As for the wait times on a Saturday this past September when my family and I went to Buffalo for the day we crossed there around 10:30 AM and waited about 30 - 35 minutes.

 

[NancyK]

I would avoid Queenston-Lewiston. The line-ups have been 1 to 2 hours lately with the strong Canadian dollar. A friend went over 2 weeks ago on a Friday at lunch and waited 90 minutes to get into the States. Ditto for another person I know who went over early on a Saturday morning. I'm not sure that Kingston is any better. We usually have much better luck crossing at Fort Erie instead of Queenston. There are usually more lanes open in Fort Erie. Definitely check the border wait times.

 

[OntFamily]

Agree. It is rare you should ever take the Queenston Crossing. 95 times out of 100, is is significantly faster to take Fort Erie (even if you have to backtrack).

On your drive down the QEW, call 1-800-715-6722 to get updated bridge conditions. If your destination is I90 Eastbound, and the Queenston wait is more than 20 minutes longer than the Fort Erie wait, take the Fort Erie crossing.