Need road trip info - US-Canada

[matt819]

Well, at least this isn't a farewell DU post; they seem to be proliferating like rabbits.

Okay, road trippers, need info.

Planning a trip from northern New England to Calgary in a few months.

Google maps takes me either north or south of Lake Superior but then has me cross the border in North Dakota to Saskatchewan.

Mapquest is similar to Google Maps, but it has me cross in Montana into Alberta (south of Medicine Hat).

This is in September, so probably no major weather issues. And while I will take photos and such, it's not a vacation; it's a trip from point a to point b. No moseying. No need to divert to see the world's largest ball of twine or the largest bratwurst.

Need recommendations for route. Only requirement for border crossing is that it should be a major (or major-ish) 24x7 crossing since there will be various customs forms required to import car into Canada.

[Major Nikon]

1. I've made the border crossing between Grand Forks and Winnipeg

I don't remember filling out any vehicle forms, but that was a long time ago and there may be different requirements now. The border crossing was very simple and just consisted of a small form, showing a few documents, and answering a few questions. They seemed to be understandably very concerned about Americans carrying handguns into Canada, which are illegal.

All things being equal I would spend as much time in the US if getting from point A to B is your only concern and the distance is about the same. Speed limits in Canada tend to be lower, especially the farther east you are.

[u4ic]

2. Be prepared in regards to Calgary weather

It could be 30c, there could be a blizzard. Southern Alberta weather is very unpredictable at the best of times, but snow can fall in late Aug/Sept. It usually doesn't stay however.

I've used both the Coutts and Piegan crossings (up here, we spell it Peigan). Not sure if North Dakota's landscape is as boring as Saskatchewan's; you drive 6 hrs and don't feel like you've even moved.

Sweetgrass is open 24 hr and is the major crossing into Alberta. Piegan is daytime only (and you'd have to go through Glacier National Park to use it).

I've never used any of the others you mentioned, can't help you there.

It's fairly easy to get to Calgary via the Coutts crossing. Use highway 4 which turns in to 3 in Lethbridge. Easier than going to Fort Macleod is #3 and turn right onto highway 23, then left onto highway 519 (or look for a sign that says Granum), then turn right on highway 2 to Calgary. (was my go to route when I lived in Lethbridge). 23 and 519 are smaller highways, but you don't have to go south again on #3 going to Ft Macleod.

Speed limits are usually 100-110 km/hr; most people drive faster, just like in the US. Those hemis that populate the prairies aren't just for show.

[greendog]

3. The highway across Canada is better than US 2. Probably faster.

You should probably check gas prices before choosing.

[csziggy]

4. Try looking up the Canadian requirements

For instance: http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/index.shtml
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html

Here is information on taking your car: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5048-eng.html

On that page, this may apply to your trip:

You can import a vehicle from the United States without registering it in the RIV program if the following applies:
<SNIP>

The vehicle is entering Canada temporarily for a specific purpose. The allowable types of temporary imports are:

a. vehicles imported by visitors for a period not exceeding 12 months, temporary residents such as students studying at an institution of learning for the duration of their studies in Canada, or individuals with valid work permits/ authorizations for employment for a period not exceeding 36 months;

<SNIP>

f. vehicles travelling in-transit through Canada;

There is an 800 number at the bottom of that page to ask questions.

[sharp_stick]

5. Go through Montana

If you cross into Saskatchewan you will still hit large sections of highway that are single lane and passing trucks on that road can be hazardous. The Coutts crossing in Montana is fairly large and quite busy.

I think the entire road up from Coutts to Calgary is now twinned