Ottawa to NYC -- best border crossing by car?
 

Leaving noon Dec. 24 -- must be in NYC by evening. We used to cross at Thousand Island Bridge but I hear it is very crowded and slow, post 9/11. Someone suggested the (longer) route via Cornwall and Albany. Views on the two border options?

Hi Tedgale,

I am sorry I do not have exact informatoin for you. I am much more familiar coming across from the midwest and into Ontario. Port Huron/Sarnia rather than Detroit/Windsor is the optimal choice there... especially for a holiday weekend.

I found this site to be quite helpful. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

If you can find a way to phone someone in border control at each of the places, they will likely know what the anticipated wait time will be for Dec 24. And, perhaps closer to the date, the link I posted will actually supply that information.

By the way, congratulations on your recent marriage. The other post closed due to silliness, I suppose. I think we did a great hi-jacking job. Things on the Europe forum have been way out of hand lately.

-Sharon

Got out of hand? Have they ever! I have taken refuge temporarily in the quiet reaches of our domestic travel board.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Yes, I am very lucky -- especially happy with the news of our Supreme Court's decision today.

You're quite welcome...
-Sharon

We crossed the Thousand Island Bridge at least ten times in the last four months and never waited longer than 10 minutes.

The answer to your question is take highway 416 all the way to the Odgensburg/Prescott bridge. It is the most direct border crossing from Ottawa, and probably the road less taken than any other border crossing in the St. Lawerence Region.

I do know where your coming from about the Thousand Island Bridge Crossing being slow. During the weekends in the Summer traffic can be backed up for miles. But during the winter it shouldn't be crowded at all.