aanro

Hello,

I am planning to go from Montreal to Boston, and I will cross the border at Stanstead.
I have read that it is an unmanned crossing, so I would like to know if there is a specific procedure to report the crossing and avoid problems!
I have emailed to US authorities (webpage), but got no response.
Can anybody help me?

ron

The CBP web page suggests that the Derby Line (Rte 5) crossing operates 24/7, http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/conta...ts/vt/0209.xml

Perhaps their non-reply to your e-mail is because they are doing a deep background check on you to try to figure why you are wanting to enter the US at an unstaffed location.

zootsi

We've crossed at Stanstead are few times - it's always been manned. Just fyi, it's a quicker drive to Montreal from Boston via I-89 and cross there. The wait at I-89 is usually 5-10 minutes on weekdays.

aanro

Thank you to both ron & zootsi, I want to go through Stanstead because I will go to Portland, Maine, first, before going to Boston.

I know that going directly to Boston would be better at I-89, but as I would like to know Portland and the coast before Boston, I am planning to cross at Stanstead.

I just want to know if there is anything I should do before or inmediately after crossing.

Thanks!!!

cdnyul

I have gone to Portland from Montreal numerous times and I have never had to cross at Stanstead to save time.

i believe you have to, after crossing, to report at the the nearest staffed crossing.

Mark

aanro

Hi cdnyul, thank you for your post.....but I would appreciate your telling me what route did you take.

I am looking for a route, scenic one. I am going on vacation and would not like to spend that day in a highway with nowhere to look, do you get what I mean?

Thanks!

Vttraveler

The Stanstead crossing has always been staffed when we cross. We also cross at other smaller crossings when heading from our home in northern Vt to the Eastern Townships of QC or to Montreal and they have also been staffed (but with few people going through)

cdnyul

Our usual route to Portland is Aut10 to Aut55, cross the border, take US91 to US93 and take the Lisbon exit off the US93 for the 302. I like driving through small towns, and my wife likes to shop at North Conway. The first few miles of the 302 after Littleton discourages some people, but if you stick with it is a very scenic road.

Another option is to go further south on the US93 to Lincoln and take the Kancanamgus to Conway and take the 302 from there.

In Wyndham we usually turn left towards Grey and the Maine turnpike. The 302 from Wyndham also brings into Portland but through a rather industrial/commercial section.

Mark

aanro

Thank you Mark!

That's exactly the type of opinion I was needing.....

Is there any village or town you would specially recommend us?
Or any place you would definitely go?

Anywhere to have lunch?

Thanks,

Gabriel

cdnyul

Sorry, can't help with lunch. We usually have breakfast at the Littleton Diner, and dinner in Portland.

I enjoy all the towns and villages along the 302. Littleton has a quintessential Main Street, North Conway has some good bike and ski shops and a large playground/community center/train depot with a nice view of the White Mountains. Naples is a resort town right on the beautiful Sebago lake, it might be a good spot for lunch.

I enjoy hiking, and the trail to Arethusa Falls is always a welcome chance to take a break from driving.

http://finias.com/scrapbook/crawford...ing_trails.htm

Mark

aanro

Mark,

That's a very good suggestion. We definitely would love to do that hike! I took a look at the link you sent and it's wonderful.

A couple of questions:

1. Do you remember how long does it take you to reach Arthusa Falls? I mean by car from Montreal, we are planning to leave Montreal at 8.30 am....on a sunday so I think there won't be too much traffic.....and

2. The hike itself, going and coming, how long does it take you walking at a normal speed?

3. Reviewing your route, A10 to A55 in Canada, and taking US91, it means crossing at Stanstead.....do you have to stop there (in the frontier) anywhere to do some Inmigration stuff or whatever? Or you just cross and that's it.....

Thanks,