Crossing into Canada from NYS: Want to avoid the backup at I87
Mar 29, 2011, 4:25 pm
#1
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Crossing into Canada from NYS: Want to avoid the backup at I87
We're thinking of getting off 87 in Champlain at Route 11 and crossing into Canada at the first border crossing east of I-87. The I-87 border crossing can be such a long wait. Has anyone done this?
Mar 30, 2011, 8:41 pm
#2
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It's not quite the same, but on my way up to Montreal from Burlington most recently, I got off of I-89 before Highgate Springs and cut across the north end of Lake Champlain, entering Canada at the Rouses Point crossing. There was only one car ahead of me and the questioning was considerably less intense than at other, larger checkpoints. I was half expecting to be asked why going out of my way to use a secondary checkpoint, but I received no such inquiry. I was through in at most a couple of minutes. And that was also with an Amtrak train clearing customs at the same time, which I'm sure kept much of the customs staff occupied.
I recommend you check the CBSA website as you approach Champlain to check on the border wait times (updated hourly). If it's more than ten minutes, it's probably worth getting off the highway and dealing with the side roads.
I recommend you check the CBSA website as you approach Champlain to check on the border wait times (updated hourly). If it's more than ten minutes, it's probably worth getting off the highway and dealing with the side roads.
Mar 31, 2011, 7:13 am
#3
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It's not quite the same, but on my way up to Montreal from Burlington most recently, I got off of I-89 before Highgate Springs and cut across the north end of Lake Champlain, entering Canada at the Rouses Point crossing. There was only one car ahead of me and the questioning was considerably less intense than at other, larger checkpoints. I was half expecting to be asked why going out of my way to use a secondary checkpoint, but I received no such inquiry. I was through in at most a couple of minutes.
And that was also with an Amtrak train clearing customs at the same time, which I'm sure kept much of the customs staff occupied.
I recommend you check the CBSA website as you approach Champlain to check on the border wait times (updated hourly). If it's more than ten minutes, it's probably worth getting off the highway and dealing with the side roads.
This looks like an abridged list. I don't see where the I-87 border and the Rt 276 border crossings (both in Champlain) and the Rouses Point crossing are listed. In fact, there is only one listing for the NYS/Quebec border instead of the 3 crossings. That one listing might be the I-87. Actually, it also doesn't include the Maine/Quebec border on Maine's Rt 201 outside of Jackman.
Still, it's something and I thank you for it!
Mar 31, 2011, 6:05 pm
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This looks like an abridged list. I don't see where the I-87 border and the Rt 276 border crossings (both in Champlain) and the Rouses Point crossing are listed. In fact, there is only one listing for the NYS/Quebec border instead of the 3 crossings. That one listing might be the I-87. Actually, it also doesn't include the Maine/Quebec border on Maine's Rt 201 outside of Jackman.
Mar 31, 2011, 6:39 pm
#5
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Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
Apr 1, 2011, 4:50 am
#6
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It's more a matter of unpredictability than consistently long wait times. Sometimes I'm through in 30 seconds, sometimes it can be almost half an hour. Also, since driving Burlington to Montreal necessarily involves 20-25 minutes of driving on side roads no matter which way you go, I'd rather get pulled over by a small town cop for exceeding an artificially low speed limit in my home state instead of a foreign country.
The corresponding list for U.S. CBP is slightly more comprehensive but not exhaustive by any means. I'm guessing the smaller checkpoints don't get enough traffic to justify regular wait time reporting. My suggestion is that if Champlain looks like it is backed up more than 10 minutes, it's worth your while to bail out and use the side roads, even though you're going in blind.
Originally Posted by guv1976
Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
Jun 18, 2012, 1:17 pm
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Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
Jun 18, 2012, 1:34 pm
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Jun 18, 2012, 9:09 pm
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Any recent news on which crossings are open for northbound traffic? We'll be heading from Plattsburgh to Montreal in July - peak traffic season! - and hope not to spend too much time at the border.
You might find this Wikipedia article useful (although I cannot vouch for its accuracy):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rder_crossings
Originally Posted by CDTraveler
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Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
Analise, I've not made the crossing, but there's also an option a little west of I-87, on NY 22 at Mooers. (That's the same NY 22 that used to include the Bronx's Grand Concourse as part of its route.) You can take US 11 west to NY 22, or you can bail out from I-87 at Exit 41, and take NY 191 west to NY 22 north.
A little OT, but as of 4/1/11, Canada is closing a couple of little-used, part-time border crossings that are even further west of I-87; it looks like the U.S. may continue to staff them, however, which would turn them into one-way crossings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rder_crossings
May 27, 2015, 10:14 am
#10
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2015 update on border crossings?
Driving from Albany, NY to Montreal this month and wanted an update on this thread -what are waits like at the I-87/Champlain border crossing? How long would it take to detour to Rouses Point? Is the wait there worth detouring?
Also, Google says there's a lot of construction taking place on I-87. Can someone tell me if there are great delays associated with these?
Also, Google says there's a lot of construction taking place on I-87. Can someone tell me if there are great delays associated with these?
May 28, 2015, 5:43 am
#11
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Originally Posted by etoufee30
Driving from Albany, NY to Montreal this month and wanted an update on this thread -what are waits like at the I-87/Champlain border crossing? How long would it take to detour to Rouses Point? Is the wait there worth detouring?
Sep 4, 2016, 10:17 pm
#13
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It's very much worth it to bypass I-87/15 border crossing. Also, you don't have to go all the way east to Rouses Point. Look at Google Maps. You can take Rt 11 East to Rt 276, go through border control, and take it to Montée Guay where you turn left and take it back to the highway (15).
Main crossing on I-87 (Champlain/ST-BERNARD-DE-LACOLLE: HIGHWAY 15) had 30-40 minute wait. Overton Corners had no wait. When we drove up to it, red light was on all lanes. Thought it was closed but it turns out CBSA officer was inside the their main building instead of manning the booth.
Expect to add 10 extra minutes to deviate from I-87 and return to Autoroute 15 vice versa in travel time alone.
This may even beat NEXUS if Champlain crossing is so backed up you can't even get to NEXUS lanes.
Sep 9, 2016, 8:43 am
#14
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It's not quite the same, but on my way up to Montreal from Burlington most recently, I got off of I-89 before Highgate Springs and cut across the north end of Lake Champlain, entering Canada at the Rouses Point crossing. There was only one car ahead of me and the questioning was considerably less intense than at other, larger checkpoints. I was half expecting to be asked why going out of my way to use a secondary checkpoint, but I received no such inquiry. I was through in at most a couple of minutes. And that was also with an Amtrak train clearing customs at the same time, which I'm sure kept much of the customs staff occupied.
I recommend you check the CBSA website as you approach Champlain to check on the border wait times (updated hourly). If it's more than ten minutes, it's probably worth getting off the highway and dealing with the side roads.
I recommend you check the CBSA website as you approach Champlain to check on the border wait times (updated hourly). If it's more than ten minutes, it's probably worth getting off the highway and dealing with the side roads.
Though, really, I have only encountered a material line at the border once in many, many crossings at I-87.
Sep 13, 2016, 5:46 am
#15
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Just crossed into Canada using this recently. Name is Overton Corners/Lacolle: Route 221. No need to drive to Rouses Point.
Main crossing on I-87 (Champlain/ST-BERNARD-DE-LACOLLE: HIGHWAY 15) had 30-40 minute wait. Overton Corners had no wait. When we drove up to it, red light was on all lanes. Thought it was closed but it turns out CBSA officer was inside the their main building instead of manning the booth.
Expect to add 10 extra minutes to deviate from I-87 and return to Autoroute 15 vice versa in travel time alone.
This may even beat NEXUS if Champlain crossing is so backed up you can't even get to NEXUS lanes.
Main crossing on I-87 (Champlain/ST-BERNARD-DE-LACOLLE: HIGHWAY 15) had 30-40 minute wait. Overton Corners had no wait. When we drove up to it, red light was on all lanes. Thought it was closed but it turns out CBSA officer was inside the their main building instead of manning the booth.
Expect to add 10 extra minutes to deviate from I-87 and return to Autoroute 15 vice versa in travel time alone.
This may even beat NEXUS if Champlain crossing is so backed up you can't even get to NEXUS lanes.