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barnrt's avatar
barnrt
Explorer
Jun 23, 2013

A better border crossing between Canada and Maine

Today we crossed from Maine into Canada at Calais. We are in a 39 foot class A. The slot to go through border control was somewhat narrow. After that you must go under a low overhang and the sign said a height of 12 ft. 6 inches. Our height is 12 ft. 8 inches. The attendant was very helpful, closed her booth and stopped on,coming traffic so we could go around the low overhang. We were very surprised. Don't big trucks go through there?

We don't want to return to the US that way . Are other border crossings the same? Is that one especially small? Even the US side seemed narrow and low overhead.

10 Replies

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  • eric1514's avatar
    eric1514
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    Harvard wrote:
    Maybe some day the GPS units will have a selectable 'height required" menu choice. Can't wait until the "GPS by Google" is on the shelf. Just kidding. :)


    An RV specific GPS will allow you to input the dimensions of your RV and should calculate your route accordingly.

    Eric
  • catkins's avatar
    catkins
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2013
    Out here we always go through a Truck crossing to get to BC. No problem when we can use those! May you have no more such surprises!!
  • catkins's avatar
    catkins
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2013
    Out here we always go through a Truck crossing to get to BC. No problem when we can use those! May you have no more such surprises!!
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    Maybe some day the GPS units will have a selectable 'height required" menu choice. Can't wait until the "GPS by Google" is on the shelf. Just kidding. :)
  • barnrt's avatar
    barnrt
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    OP again

    My GPS led me astray , again! I looked at a map and I see the highway around Calais. My GPS must not be updated enough. Sure would have saved me a bit of trouble. ( and those behind me too)
  • barnrt's avatar
    barnrt
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    OP here. No roundabout. Drove through the town. We were not on any highway. Bridge was narrow and the line was long. As I said, we just followed signs and never saw any other directions. We were traveling from Bangor and took route 9.

    For those who might be coming that way, in Bayleyville there is an Irving fuel stop and the diesel was 27 cents less per gallon, there than it was at the stations in Calais.
  • Denny___Jami's avatar
    Denny___Jami
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    There is a bigger newer crossing west of the old one. When you are coming in on the 4 lane in NB just stay one it and that's where you will end up.

    Denny
  • barnrt's avatar
    barnrt
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    op here. I was not aware that there was any other crossing . We just followed the signs and yes, it did seem to be a downtown crossing. Thanks for the info.
  • NCWriter's avatar
    NCWriter
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    Did you cross at the old downtown border station? I believe a newer crossing was added a couple of miles outside of town in recent years with a freeway link right to it, to take traffic out of congested town streets.

    Both are still in use, but my guess is that the new one has higher clearance areas. I believe trucks now must use that crossing.

    We have a small RV and had a short line and no issues at the old station. Maybe someone who used the new crossing can advise re improvements.

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