ON to PEI - Through the US or...?

[SLY_DVL]

As the subject suggests we are planning on dragging our 20' Toy Hauler (and a few toys) out to the East Coast from Ontario this summer. The time and distance that Google suggests is nearly identical whether we go through Canada or cut through the US (from Buffalo to Calais, ME).
The fuel is cheaper in the US so I'd like to pursue that route, providing any savings aren't offset by huge elevations and steep inclines. It looks pretty coastal so I can't see many elevation changes, but I'd love to hear from anyone that has done the trip, or has any input.



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[bdhoun]

We did that trip a few years ago.
Went through the states on the way out, stopping in New Brunswick at the Bay of Fundy National Park. On the way home stayed pretty much in Canada with a 2 day stop in Quebec City. Great trip

[SLY_DVL]

spud1957 wrote:
We were hauling a 5th wheel.

I guess when you start hauling another set of axles the tolls start to climb exponentially...

[spud1957]

If you are considering fuel savings going thru the US that will be disappear by the tolls.

Went thru a couple years ago from NB to ON, we were close to $100 CA for tolls.

This fall we came down 87 from 90 in MA to 84 at Newburgh NY, 100 miles, $20 US toll!!!!

We were hauling a 5th wheel.

[Crowe]

What is "PEI"?

Prince Edward Island.

[jolooote]

What is "PEI"?

[deadeye1]

Because food and alcohol are more in the maritime's we go down via Canadian route and home through US. We live just above the NH/Vermont border so technically it is a little shorter via US but we have no hassles going into US with food and alcohol or coming back into Canada the same day and having to prove none was brought in the states. Coming home we usually stay a couple of days and come home with our duty free allowances.

[SLY_DVL]

Wow! Much more feedback than I expected. What a great group!

Some great advice. Thanks very much travelers.

[Krow]

Unless you want to go into Boston, I'd take the greyed out route. As for Canada/US route, I'd do one one way and the other return. We always try to maximize our trips by trying to take different to and fro routes although that's not always possible.

[moebedick]

I have one suggestion if you choose the blue route. Avoid I395/290 "shortcut " through Worcester,Ma! If you value your sanity, you will continue a few miles east on Rt90 and go directly to 495north. Between 7am to 9 am and 4pm to 6pm the traffic is extreme. You could probably row the distance as fast as you could drive it. At other times of the day it's tolerable as long as you have nerves of steel. Narrow lanes,too many exits and entrances too close together,and too many drivers with a me first attitude. Probably a close equal to NYC, Chicago or DC, and I've towed through all of them.

[mkc]

You might want to use the NY Thruway Toll Calculator to figure out those costs as well.

A 2-axle truck towing a 2 axle trailer that is taller than 7'6" will pay the 4H rates. That's going to be about $60 or so depending on where you pick up the Thruway on the west end.

The Thruway only takes cash unless you have an EZ-Pass. MassPike is all electronic/mailed bills now I believe.

[edbehnke]

we do it a little different on the food. Bring food into Canada that you like. In Canada it will cost a lot more.
Just understand what you can bring in.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/what-can-i-bring-to-canada-1481670

To be safe we always say, when asked: 'we don't think we have anything...but lets check' it'll keep you from get fined.

and both routes are fine.

[IB853347201]

We have travelled both routes over the years and aside from some savings due to gas prices, both are fine. To me it comes down to where we want to stop and what sightseeing we want to do along the way.

[DrewE]

There aren't any huge inclines or major elevation changes on the primary route you show. There are a few more along the grayed out route, but nothing too rough in my opinion. If you go a little farther north in the US, through the Adirondacks and across Vermont and New Hampshire, you do run into a good bit more hilly terrain, though I don't know if the overall fuel consumption is really all that much higher since your average speed is lower. I generally prefer it due to the pretty scenery and more moderate traffic.

Your blue route is taking you along the New York Thruway, the Mass Pike, and the Maine Turnpike, all of which are toll roads. The Thruway, in particular seems awfully expensive when traveling it; I think that's partly because it's a pretty long road, and the tolls add up. Tolls may eat up most or all of your potential fuel savings.

The Canadian route is pretty but somewhat longer and slower.

I have never really experienced extraordinarily long or hard border crossings, but I suppose there's always a first time. That doesn't mean it's always instantaneous.

[MudChucker]

We stick to Ontario when we travel from Winnipeg, with boarder wait times, tolls etc we don't save enough in fuel to justify it.

Keep in mind, best to travel through the boarder with a near empty fridge, call Canada and USA customs and find out what you can travel with. We prefer to simply say "the fridge and freezer are empty"

Did I mention that the drive through Ontario is amazing?