Bridge Crossing help, driving South Bend, In to Niagara on the Lake, Ont
 

We will be driving from South Bend, In to Niagara on the Lake. Google maps suggests the shortest route is to cross into Canada at Sarnia/Port Huron. However, it's only 20+ miles further to go through Buffalo, which then gives us the option of crossing at the Peace Bridge go driving to Niagara and taking the Rainbow or Queenstown-Lewiston Bridges.

We can't decide which way to go. One advantage of going through Michigan is that we would definitely arrive earlier in the day to cross at Sarnia. I doubt we could arrive in Buffalo before 4 pm which I'm sure is the start of rush hour. One advantage of going to Buffalo, is that we can use our radar detector and drive faster by driving more miles in the US.

Any comments? Thanks

If you go via Buffalo you've got highway tolls on the New York Thruway, but you are likely not going to have to buy (more expensive) Canadian gasoline. Via the Bluewater bridge, no highway tolls, but you'll likely have to do a Canadian fill-up. So that's pretty much a wash.

The only other factor I see is border crossing time. I imagine there is rarely a delay at Sarnia, but that there are often delays at the Niagara crossings. You could go to http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html in the late afternoon for a few days to see what is typical at the various bridges for that time of day.

There's no rush hour in Buffalo... hasn't been one since 1967... The most scenic and fun route is to cross at the Peace Bridge and immediately get on the Niagara Parkway... its a 38 mile pretty drive along the River that runs right through Niagara Falls and ends in Niagara on the Lake... that would add a leisurely drive to your stay... don't take the highway (QEW) to Niagara ... you will miss the nature and beauty of the Niagara region....

Thanks for pointing out the additional price of gas in Canada. Although saving a few dollars is not as important as saving time. (if Canadian customs confiscates our dog's food, we need to get to St. Catharines before 6 to buy her good).

I have watched wait times yesterday, and I haven't seen more than 20 minutes at any of the bridges. I will continue to monitor weekdays--although we will be crossing on a Thursday.

Hopefully taking the Niagara Parkway won't be much slower than the QEW highway to Niagara. I imagine at that point in the day, we will be tired and eager to get to our B&B in Niagara on the Lake. But a scenic drive is always out goal.

Border customs just needs the correct dog papers... never heard of them grabbing dog food...

However... when you cross at the Peace Bridge, you will be in Ft Erie... plenty of dog food there...

Winston Churchill once described the Niagara Parkway as "one of the world's most beautiful Sunday drives"... Take your time and enjoy... your B&B will be there when you arrive...