Posted: 3/21/2008 5:49:49 AM EDT
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Anybody drive through Canada lately? How much of a hassle is it. I need to do a trip that will be 11 hours+ if I only drive US roads, about 8 hours if I cut through Canada. |
I don't think you need a passport until next year if you're traveling by car. Just have a certified copy of your birth certificate and drivers license and you should be good to go. |
Gas was at 1.15 per liter this morning in Montreal Qc so if I un-commiefy this for you it comes around 4.35$can a gallon so my advice is fill 'er up or weep. |
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It's not much different than driving in the US. One thing that I've always found somewhat amusing is how much harder it is for me to get back into the US than it is to enter Canada. Every time I come back in, the US border patrol dudes grill me about everything. Going in, the Canadians are like "Business or pleasure? Okay, have fun!". Radar detectors are illegal, so make sure you hide yours.  It's possible to bring guns in, but it's a royal (heh) pain in the ass. If you're just cutting through Canada to save time, don't bother. If you need to bring guns with you for some reason, don't go through Canada. I was creeped out when I saw that certain actions warranted 2 "demerits". If you're a smoker, make sure you've got enough to avoid having to buy them in Canada. |
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Yeah getting in is easy "Where ya going?" "blah blah" "Have fun" Getting out is usually where the line is. At some point you have to have a passport, but I think that has been put off again. You have to pay a $ 50 fee and fill out a bunch of paperwork to bring a gun in, and I think that's only for hunting or target shooting. Canadians, in my experience, don't drive slow. |
That's a dollar and change more than here in upstate NY. |
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WoW!!! I have never had a single problem coming back into the US from Windsor or Niagara. Where are some of you guy crossing at? I have been questioned extensively many times and searched once, which is a royal pain in the ass I might add, going to Canada. Crossing into Canadia has always been a bitch in my experience. Coming back, never an issue. |
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Gas has dropped to around $1.06/l or $4.12 a gallon. Like the other poster said, the only issue is US Customs. If you are driving the 401, try and make sure you are on it after 6pm if possible. The Milton-Oshawa stretch is horrible from 8am-6pm most days. Honk at Yonge St. We'll be thinking of you. |
I do it at Windsor, and it's always a pain coming back. Maybe the Canadians trust guys in Mustangs? 
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Agree with most everything that's been posted. Anytime I've driven into Canada in a vehicle that is not registered in my name, I got searched. They were very polite and careful with everything. They have a camera that reads the license plates and brings up all your registration info, so the person in the booth already has all the info on you when you pull up, and why they stop you if you aren't the registered owner of the vehicle. The first time I visited I had to talk to the immigration people, never after that though. On the US side they seem to take their time talking to EVERYONE at the booths, which really backs up traffic. Speed limit in Canada is 100kph (62mph). Radar detectors are illegal but I've always just stowed it in the trunk, when I got searched the only thing they said about it was "thanks, just leave it packed away". Fuel tends to be a little more expensive, certain consumer items seem much more expensive, taxes maybe. I did notice that motor oil was very expensive. |
| Also if you are in Quebec nobody gives a shit if you are speeding, as long as there are cars passing yours you are under the tolerance limit of the region :p. Don't speed near the border, don't speed in Ontario, don't speed too much in or near Montreal (potholes are big enough to break shock mount plates, don't ask how I know this). |
Niagra is a huge tourist spot. Been there, done that. People cross back and forth just to see a different side of the waterfalls, so it is fairly routine. |