Racine, WI to Ontario

SpeedFreek

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Location
Racine, WI
TDI
2005 New Jetta
Racine, WI to Toronto

Update: I went, I had fun, worthwhile trip. :D

So Im asking for advice on a possible trip from Racine, WI to Toronto. Me and some friends were planning on taking a trip to visit some people we know in January and I have personally never driven on a trip that far myself. I plan on trying to teach my friend to drive stick so he can help out on driving, if he can do it on a bike it should translate to a car with a little practice i hope, and other than that I dont think there should be any problems.

Questions I do have are about the whole crossing the border thing, yes I am getting my passport, but I heard something about driving a financed car across the border. Can anyone enlighten me about that? Also what should I look out for along the way and when I get there?

Any help or comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
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scurvy

Good Ol' Boy
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Location
Chicago IL USA
TDI
2006 Golf
I've never had any problems driving my Golf into Canada and I'm still paying on it. So long as you have insurance & registration for it, they probably won't give you a second glance.

Are you planning on going up through the UP through Sault Ste Siberia or down along the lake and across Ill-in-wah, Indiana & Michigan? If taking the southern route, I personally find the crossing at Sarnia/Porn Huron better-nicer-faster than the one at Windsor/Detroit.
 

MantyTDI

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Location
Johnson Creek, WI
TDI
1999.5 Jetta GLS TDI
I wouldnt worry about crossing into Canada, last time I did (October 2007) we didn't even have to show ID when we crossed at Saulte Ste Marie en route to Thunder Bay. I don't know about driving a financed car across the border, but do take your registration and insurance info, they ask for that when they pull you over for speeding (how do I know that?)......
 

SpeedFreek

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Location
Racine, WI
TDI
2005 New Jetta
scurvy said:
Are you planning on going up through the UP through Sault Ste Siberia or down along the lake and across Ill-in-wah, Indiana & Michigan? If taking the southern route, I personally find the crossing at Sarnia/Porn Huron better-nicer-faster than the one at Windsor/Detroit.
Probably going to go the Dow and around route, dont like the idea of driving through Chicago but hopefully the traffic will be light when I go.
Smithers said:
No border problems. Just take your own booze and smokes. $$$$ (And mind the duty-free limits).
Yeah, about that... Only one of us is 21.

Out of curosity what are the limits?
 

lovemybug

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2007
Location
SE Wisconsin
TDI
2002 Red Beetle
SpeedFreek said:
Probably going to go the Dow and around route, dont like the idea of driving through Chicago but hopefully the traffic will be light when I go.

Yeah, about that... Only one of us is 21.

Out of curosity what are the limits?
Best time to get through Chicago easily is in the middle of the night. Otherwise you risk getting caught in a parking lot.
 

Smithers

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 7, 1999
Location
Lower Slobovia
SpeedFreek said:
Probably going to go the Dow and around route, dont like the idea of driving through Chicago but hopefully the traffic will be light when I go.

Yeah, about that... Only one of us is 21.

Out of curosity what are the limits?

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Non-residents entering Canada:[/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tobacco*...200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 200g of loose tobacco
    Liquor*...1 bottle of wine or spirits, 24 bottles or cans of beer
    *Applies only to passsengers over 18 yrs of age
    Perfume....Reasonable amount
    Cameras....No restrictions
    Film.......Reasonable amount
    Gifts......$60 Cad max per gift -excludes tobacco/liquor
    Agricultural items/currency...Refer psgr to consulate
    [/FONT]



Take the Chicago route. The drive through Sault Ste. Marie, etc. is utter crap with WAY more miles in Canada on expensive Canadian fuel and a horrid exchange rate. I drove from Kenosha county to Manitoulin Island in July. Blech. Did the return trip on one tank of fuel, though. :D

[/FONT]
 
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SpeedFreek

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Location
Racine, WI
TDI
2005 New Jetta
wv tdi said:
Don't get caught speeding in Ontario, the fine is out of sight!
I heard, just got back today and had fun. $10000 and they take your car if you drive too spirited.

Didnt get to take the VW but we made it there and back with little trouble. They searched us pretty thoroughly on the way in and on the way back they barely gave it any thought letting us back into the US.

Had a good time and froze my ass off in both Toronto and Niagra and had quite a bit of fun so mission accomplished.
 
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