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shinglers3's avatar
shinglers3
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016

PA to Niagara(NY) to Montreal route advice

Hi all, looking for some advice from the "been there, done that" crowd for our upcoming trip. We are traveling from Carlisle, PA to 4 Mile Creek State Park in Niagara, NY. On the Good Sam trip planner it shows "No RV" on Robert Moses State Parkway, but does not offer an alternate route. The campground links to google for directions, so I plan to follow that, which is 63N, 77N, and NY-93W, unless someone has better advice.

OK, so what I really need help with....
What is the best way to get from 4 Mile Creek State Park to our campground of Camping La Cle des Champs in St. Philippe, QC. I was planning to stay in NY and cross the border up north but have never traveled across the border in a vehicle, let alone with a fifth wheel trailer. Google maps has me crossing in Niagara and traveling up the lake through Toronto. Good Sam has us taking 81N and crossing at Wellseley Island. Looking at a map I was thinking of heading even further north to cross. I'm at a total loss here.

Any other border crossing advice is certainly welcome. But I plan to search out those posts and do some reading on the general stuff. It's been 9 months since we planned the trip and would like to refresh my mind in preparation for the border crossing.

Thanks for your advice!
Roads and Routes
  • shinglers3's avatar
    shinglers3
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2016
    We leave in a few days and just curious if there is any other advice to get from Niagara to Montreal. It looks like my options are:
    90W to 81N to border cross and then 401N
    90W to 81N to 11N to 87N to border cross and then 15N (1 hour slower via google maps)

    Any thoughts? I've never been in this part of the country to know the best route. Thanks all!
  • shinglers3's avatar
    shinglers3
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    Wow, great information, I can't wait to see Toronto (from the campground, maybe we will drive there if we get bored in Niagara). WNYBob, thanks so much for the offer and directions, I will check them with the map, and print them for our trip. I will message you if I have any questions.
  • Tripalot's avatar
    Tripalot
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    VE3ESN wrote:
    Going thru New York State and then north to Montreal is by far the preferred route for these reasons:

    (1) gas is cheaper in the US.
    (2) crossing into Canada at Niagara Falls or Lewiston will route you through the greater Toronto area (GTA), and the traffic is usually quite brutal at any time of the day.
    (3) for those poor souls who do choose to drive around Toronto, don't even think about using the privately-owned 407 ETR toll route around as it's exorbitantly expensive. The NY thruway is MUCH cheaper.



    X2 - definitely
    We live in the area and avoid Toronto as much as possible. Traffic is a nightmare - even getting bad on Sunday mornings!

    You will be able to see Toronto from Four Mile Creek C.G. That is about as close as you want to get with an RV! Ha Ha
  • VE3ESN's avatar
    VE3ESN
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    Going thru New York State and then north to Montreal is by far the preferred route for these reasons:

    (1) gas is cheaper in the US.
    (2) crossing into Canada at Niagara Falls or Lewiston will route you through the greater Toronto area (GTA), and the traffic is usually quite brutal at any time of the day.
    (3) for those poor souls who do choose to drive around Toronto, don't even think about using the privately-owned 407 ETR toll route around as it's exorbitantly expensive. The NY thruway is MUCH cheaper.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    I have never heard of or seen a sign stating no RVs.

    Here is the way I'd go:

    Take the I90 north from the I90
    Go across Grand Island (toll of course it's NY)
    Continue on I90 to the Canadian border, take the last exit before Canada!
    This is the tricky part, go slow as the exits are close together.
    Take the 2nd exit North to the Robert Moses Pkwy, do not take the exit for 104!
    The Robert Moses Pkwy will take you to your CG.

    I just checked Google Maps and they show the tricky part. The split in the I90 is the boarder inspection, so you get on Upper Mountain Road.

    I think the no RVs notation is for the low underpass under the North Grand Island bridge.

    If you need more info or want to talk about the area send me a PM, I was born here.
  • shinglers3's avatar
    shinglers3
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    Thanks for the info. All our campgrounds are booked, so we are going straight from Niagara to Montreal, looking for advice for the easiest route.
  • darsben1's avatar
    darsben1
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    The I81 crossing is a good one. I81 has minor construction right now. I would spend a night or 2 at Wellesley Island State park or at Keewaydin State Park. Not far off your route
    The boat tour to Boldt castle and/or Singer Castle is nice.
    An alternative in the area is Grass Point STATE Park.
    Grass point and Keewaydin both enjoy views f the main channel where you can see the Ocean going ships go by (salties) and the Lake ships.
    Keewaydin boasts an Olympic size pool
    There are a couple of good wineries in the area
    OR you can get off 81 just before the Thousand Island Bridge and follow the river to Ogdensburg NY where you can cross into Canada.
  • icanon's avatar
    icanon
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2016
    Go for the I-87 N straight up to Champlain NY border, it's big border so lots of room for Rv of any size and head to your destination.
    There is a nice campground on the way up in Lake George you can stop over on stay a few days it's called you guessed it Lake George RV Park.

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