Working on my trip to Alaska and was looking alternative ways of going since I believe everything after I cross into Canada is part of the experience. What are the roads going to be like if I cross the border at North Portal then go up through Regina, Saskatoon? Will I have any problem finding places to pull over and spend the night? Being able to boondock on a pull-out or side road is my preference. This will be mid June if that matters. I'll be in a truck camper and enjoy back roads more than interstate.

Hi,I would avoid North Portal like the plague. Last time I went that route it took me 4 hours of waiting in line to cross. If you are willing to travel at 2 a.m. then the wait disappears.If you are coming from Minot, use the port at Sherwood, ND. It is not 24 hours. There is a gas station at Sherwood--and I recommend filling to the gills at it. Fuel prices are considerably higher in Canada, and with the new carbon tax that starts on April 1, will be even higher.The road from Regina to Edmonton is four lanes most of the way.There are few rest stops. Many small towns have campgrounds. https://freecampsites.net/ is a good resource.If you enjoy soaking in salty pools, consider adjusting the route to take in Manitou Beach near Watrous, SK.I live in SK and may be able to offer much more detail about things to do or see.

I have crossed at North Portal, it is busy but no better or worse than other crosiings. The secondary highways in Sakatchewan are generally good but you may have to search out campgrounds. Local authorities may allow yo to overnight in a fairground. Carry lots of windshield washer fluid, the bugs are unbelievable.

My last two trips up we crossed a sweetgrass. Easy and fast. There are not many pullouts where you can camp for free in Canada legally. Our last stop in the US the last two times was in Shelby. We stop in Edmonton for a couple of days before heading up to Dawson Creek. Ken

we have crossed at North Portal two times and had no problems. Both times it took just a few minutes. If you do cross there, a nice place to spend the nite is in Weyburn, SK. there is a city campground which we stayed at both times. It will be on the left just as you enter the town. We spend two nites there and exchanged money at a bank. Our route was, from Weyburn, PH39 North up to Moose Jaw and pick up PH !. Then up to Saskatoon, pick up PH 16, which takes you to Edmonton. When we got to Edmonton there was road construction and we got lost, stopped and there was a guy who took us to the right road PH43. If you cross at North Portal, just before you cross there is a gas station, on the left, to fuel up at US prices. We stopped in Lloydminster and spent nite at a WalMart.Good luck.

This might help you.https://www.ezbordercrossing.com/list-of-border-crossings/north-dakota/portal/

Alt Route to Edmonton | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

sljohnson1938
Explorer
Mar 30, 2019
we have crossed at North Portal two times and had no problems. Both times it took just a few minutes. If you do cross there, a nice place to spend the nite is in Weyburn, SK. there is a city campground which we stayed at both times. It will be on the left just as you enter the town. We spend two nites there and exchanged money at a bank.
Our route was, from Weyburn, PH39 North up to Moose Jaw and pick up PH !. Then up to Saskatoon, pick up PH 16, which takes you to Edmonton.
When we got to Edmonton there was road construction and we got lost, stopped and there was a guy who took us to the right road PH43.
If you cross at North Portal, just before you cross there is a gas station, on the left, to fuel up at US prices.
We stopped in Lloydminster and spent nite at a WalMart.
Good luck.
missnmountains
Explorer
Mar 29, 2019
My last two trips up we crossed a sweetgrass. Easy and fast. There are not many pullouts where you can camp for free in Canada legally.

Our last stop in the US the last two times was in Shelby. We stop in Edmonton for a couple of days before heading up to Dawson Creek.

Ken
romore
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2019
I have crossed at North Portal, it is busy but no better or worse than other crosiings. The secondary highways in Sakatchewan are generally good but you may have to search out campgrounds. Local authorities may allow yo to overnight in a fairground. Carry lots of windshield washer fluid, the bugs are unbelievable.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 29, 2019
Hi,

I would avoid North Portal like the plague. Last time I went that route it took me 4 hours of waiting in line to cross. If you are willing to travel at 2 a.m. then the wait disappears.

If you are coming from Minot, use the port at Sherwood, ND. It is not 24 hours. There is a gas station at Sherwood--and I recommend filling to the gills at it. Fuel prices are considerably higher in Canada, and with the new carbon tax that starts on April 1, will be even higher.

The road from Regina to Edmonton is four lanes most of the way.

There are few rest stops. Many small towns have campgrounds. https://freecampsites.net/ is a good resource.

If you enjoy soaking in salty pools, consider adjusting the route to take in Manitou Beach near Watrous, SK.

I live in SK and may be able to offer much more detail about things to do or see.

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Alt Route to Edmonton

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