We are heading to Niagara Falls, Ontario, in late May to meet up with a caravan. We're coming cross country from Oregon. We plan to travel Interstate 80 most of the way, originally planning to cross the border in the Detroit area. But we now think it would be better to go up through Lansing and Flint, MI and cross the border at Port Huron. We've never been to this area any farther than Elkhart, IN. Any advice or comments about that choice of border crossing point?

Not a bad idea ... pickup I-69 and take it all the way to Port Huron, you avoid a bunch of construction and congestion around the Detroit Metro area. Either stay on the 80/90 toll road until it intersects directly with 69, or hop off at I-94 As for the crossing itself, it's a major commercial crossing so it should be pretty efficient and easy to navigate, I haven't driven it myself in an RV.

I often crossed into Windsor through Detroit for business. If you pick up I69 from I80, you'll find it a much more enjoyable ride and crossing. (road conditions, traffic, scenery, and crossing time should all be better)

We crossed into Canada from Port Huron last Oct, easy peasy. Matter of fact I cross from Detroit quite a bit and like Port Huron better.

I think your choice of crossing from Port Huron into Sarnia is a very good one. We crossed there last summer for the second time in less than five years. In fact, we stayed in the Port Huron campground so we could get an early and easy start. Glad we did, highly recommend it. We crossed with our dog in the back seat looking out the window at the agent. Even though we had all the proper documents, he never asked a word about the dog.

Thank you all so much. Relieves a little worry. It's always good to hear from folks who have been there. :)

Port Huron, MI Border Crossing into Canada | Good Sam Community

southernsky
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
As others have said crossing at Port Huron was quite easy. We overnight at the KOA and crossed in the morning. The KOA was the biggest and best we've ever seen.
Tripalot
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
The Duty Free gas that I am thinking about is just a few hundred yards from the toll booths. You have to watch the signs carefully or you will be in the wrong lane and miss it. The savings were substantial. It can only be accessed when entering Canada from Michigan. There are lots of easily accessed pumps - it is not a little rinky dink operation.
TBammer
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
I-69 on the north side of Lansing is washboard, and will bounce you trailer around. Make sure you have everything loose locked down, because it will get thrown about. First time over it you will think you have a flat tire.
TBammer
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
PS - Worse in right hand lane
kaydeejay
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
Tripalot wrote:
The Duty Free gas that I am thinking about is just a few hundred yards from the toll booths. You have to watch the signs carefully or you will be in the wrong lane and miss it. The savings were substantial. It can only be accessed when entering Canada from Michigan. There are lots of easily accessed pumps - it is not a little rinky dink operation.
I have no idea what you are referring too and have never seen any pumps. A little more direction please if you could. I am crossing into Ontario at Port Huron tomorrow. Thanks.
Tripalot
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
I just checked on Google, and the Duty Free Gas is at the Ambassador Bridge, Michigan side. As I said in my original post, I was not 100% sure which crossing had the duty free as we use both crossings - and it has been a couple of years.
Memory is not what it used to be! Website shows gas price $2.61 gal. but I do not know how this compares to other US prices.
larchambeau
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
I haven't seen a reference to this, but you MUST make sure that ALL passengers have the proper documents when you cross. Check regulations for entering Canada and also back to the US.

Best bet is passport, but I believe an enhanced driver license will suffice. Not sure about minors.

But, please do your homework.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2019
We crossed at the Sarnia point mid morning in 2017. No lines. Don't think we were stationary for any more than a minute. Fastest ever into Canada.

Have paperwork ready. Shut off engine. Remove sunglasses. Be pleasant. Zoom, you are through.

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Port Huron, MI Border Crossing into Canada

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