You can try to game the system.
LaColle is the main border crossing in the area. It’s the one on the main expressway (87) between New York and Montreal. So it gets the most people and sometimes it backs up and you have a long wait.
There is an alternative. You can get off the expressway at Exit 42, which is about two miles south of the border. Follow Rte 11 east for about a mile and a half and you’ll see a sign for the local border crossing on Rte 276. This is a small border crossing that only gets local traffic. You can cross the border here and then take the Guay Road back to the expressway. This small detour only adds about three miles to your trip.
You can avoid a wait by doing this. The risk, however, is that this border crossing is very small. If you happen to go when another vehicle or two is using it, you will end up waiting just as long because this border crossing only has one or two employees and they never process multiple vehicles at the same time. Or sometimes you can catch them when they’re bored from the lack of traffic and they’ll run a thorough check just because they want something to do.
Ooh, this is good info. I can use Google Maps to see how the traffic is at the main crossing and decide then. Thanks!
I once used that crossing into the US. When I got to the booth, the guy was asleep and I had to rap on his window to awaken him.
You can also check these sites. But I don’t know how accurate they are.
Is a trip for less than 14 days allowed? I might go for a weekend at some point if I am able.
Yes! You have to be vaccinated and had a negative covid test within 72 hours. I’m in Saugerties, NY and I’ll report back if there are any issues getting over the border.
Things are changing quickly. It looks like soon you will have to be vaxxed* to work for the [Canadian] federal government, in a federally-regulated industry, or to use commercial airlines, interprovincial trains, or ships with overnight accommodations.
* or have a legitimate exemption. Don’t know how they will determine that.
Just reporting that I got into Canada with no issues. I printed out the results of my recent COVID test, and had proof of vaccination (and had already submitted that proof to ArriveCan), and it was smooth.
For my next trick, I have to figure out if I need a COVID test to return to the US in a week.
Not by car. My daughter and family just left Montreal and an hour later emailed me that they were already across the border with no problem. By air I think you still need a test to get on the plane.
I’m assuming you mean City & not Provence but depending upon when you’re returning St. Jean-Sur-Richelieu is about 25 miles north of the NY/VT border & could be a good stop for something to watch on the way home. Usually there are two flights per day, weather permitting, sunrise & about 2 hrs before sunset. Not sure what is in stock for this Covid-altered year, though.