Sarnia border crossing on a Friday evening

[irisesareblue]

I know it's hard to predict but would anyone know how long it usually takes to cross the border from Canada to the U.S. at the Sarnia crossing on a Friday evening? Trying to figure out what time is best to leave Hamilton and how muh time to budget for the border itself - leaving on August 6th (2 weeks from tomorrow!)

 

[rjan67]

Ohhh, I'm afraid it won't be good....1-2 hours? There is a lot construction on the 402 and it is often into 1 lane....trucks and cars together. A Friday will be busy. Today at 3pm it was backed up on the bridge and up the highway. I would leave as early as possible. It may be better if you actually wait til 7 or 8? It really is difficult to know.

 

[Momto4boys]

I went across 3 weeks ago on a friday. There was some awful construction just before the bridge that left us sitting there for a loooong time. Then the wait at the border was about an hour. So I would give at least 2 hours to get yourself across.

 

[irisesareblue]

This is for my step-daughter, who is meeting us in Toledo to continue the drive to Orlando together (we are coming from Manitoba to meet her). Do you think it would be better to take the Detroit crossing?

 

[rjan67]

Not sure if this helps anybody but here is a link to the Bridge webpage with delays

http://www.bwba.org/main_e.html

Here is a live camera right before the tolls

http://www.bwba.org/camera1_e.html

Here is the approach to the Canadian side but also you can see if there is a line crossing over to the U.S. on the bridge.

http://www.bwba.org/camera2_e.html

 

[sk8jdgca]

i would drive down to sombra and take the ferry-the wait is much better

 

[bdoyledimou]

Anyone know how much the ferry is?

we went across in Sarnia last Thursday, and it was 10 pm and a 45 minute wait.. the construction is HORRIBLE..

I would recommend going through Detroit/Windsor instead. they have many options (tunnel or bridge) so it's not that bad.

 

[rjan67]

$5.

 

[sk8jdgca]

It went up to $6 each way but it is easy to get to the highway from marine City-plus you get a bonus boat ride-we always get out of the car and enjoy the ride

FYI Right now there are no delays entering US and 15 minutes entering Canada

http://bluewaterferry.com/

 

[formill]

We crossed there on the Friday of the May holiday weekend- thought we would get a head start.......got to Sarnia by noon..........took 2 hours to get across. My sister came across that same night after supper- took around an hour. That was the first time at that time of day that we have had such a long wait. Coming home.......zero wait on the holiday Monday mid afternoon.

 

[Daddio]

If you are planning on driving south on I-75, avoid Sarnia and cross in Windsor. The wait is usually less than 10 minutes any time. The tunnel is not usually busy either, but will land you in downtown Detroit.

David

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Is the construction of 402 just an issue by Sarnia or is it a huge stretch? We are planning a trip to Niagara Falls & the Muskoka area next month & want to avoid as many backups as possible! Is is best to avoid the 402?

I wasn't aware of the ferry so I'm glad for the tips--always good to have another option. The nearest border crossing would be Port Huron for us but I would go a bit out of the way to avoid backups.

Thanks for the help!

 

[2 Little Mermaids]

Is the construction of 402 just an issue by Sarnia or is it a huge stretch? We are planning a trip to Niagara Falls & the Muskoka area next month & want to avoid as many backups as possible! Is is best to avoid the 402?

I wasn't aware of the ferry so I'm glad for the tips--always good to have another option. The nearest border crossing would be Port Huron for us but I would go a bit out of the way to avoid backups.

Thanks for the help!

The construction is just in Sarnia, near the bridge. If your close to marine city the ferry is a good option. To the OP, since they are coming from Hamilton, I would take the 401 straight to Windsor and cross there. I would think Sarnia would be a longer route.

 

[SydandPaige'sMom]

ugh we live in Sarnia and the bridge has been backed up like I haven't seen since 9/11! It's has been so busy everyday. I thought last weekend was due to Bayfest country/Black Eyed Peas weekend, but Monday and Tuesday were just as busy.

 

[branmack]

It went up to $6 each way but it is easy to get to the highway from marine City-plus you get a bonus boat ride-we always get out of the car and enjoy the ride

FYI Right now there are no delays entering US and 15 minutes entering Canada

http://bluewaterferry.com/

We only have Nexus. We do not have passports, can we cross on the ferry