Border crossing Sarnia
 

I left London at 11am on Friday morning and 7km from the border got stuck in huge line of cars. Two and a half hours later we arrived at the bridge. We then had to stand in line at US immigration to get our visa waiver thing done for three and half hours! It was a nightmare. We arrived at our relatives home in Michigan at 10pm when we should have been there at 4pm. We came back today and it was a breeze coming back into Canada. There still looked like there was a large line up at US immigration but no backed up cars waiting to get to the bridge from Sarnia. Not be making that journey on a Friday again!
Been in London for 3 weeks now, so far everything has been straightforward. Changing my UK licence and getting registered for OHIP was the first few things I did. I have moved into an apartment, bought furniture and received my belongings from Pickfords. Will need to get a vehicle soon. Anyway, I have found this site to be extremely helpful ( at one point during the last couple of years I was almost obsessive in checking it every day!) So a big thanks to all those who post their experiences and expertise. Cheers!

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

I heard it's really a nightmare in any border crossing on a Friday. :ohmy:

Just the same, I'm glad it all worked very well for you. Please share some thoughts on the rental/apartment that you go to. Does it make a difference from the website and the actual thing? Thanks ! :)

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

My ex crossed there both ways on Sunday. She said it took two hours queuing each way. I usually allow an hour coming into Canada but no time to go to the US (I don't need a waiver).

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

I use the Port Huron crossing routinely, rarely do I have a problem, much better than Windsor or Niagara Falls.

I also find the Fort Erie crossing quite painless.

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

As a truck driver i avoid port huron at all costs, i have only crossed at niagra once and it was quick and simple, just as it is the many times i have crossed at windsor. at port huron the american CBPO's are slow, inefficient, and needlessly unfriendly. Woodstock and St Stephen (both NB) are by far the best.

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html shows waiting times at the major crossing points.

Also from the U.S. CBP: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

Smaller border crossing points may not be included on these figures. It is worth doing your research before deciding which border post to use (although in some areas there is no choice if it's the only crossing over a water stretch).

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

Have bookmarked both those links, thanks very much.

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

Niagara's ok if you take the Queenston Bridge. The Peace Bridge is only any good if you want to enjoy the view while stuck in the queue for yonks.

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

Truckers have a separate entry point, that might explain the difference for Passenger Cars.

Re: Border crossing Sarnia
 

yes but we still have to use the same approach road, we only branch off at the booths so if traffic is backed up across the bridge/down the road, we are still in it. Also, the difference in volume of traffic is correspondingly similar between trucks and cars and i was also taking into account the efficiency/attitude of the staff.