Getting thru Canada

R

russell mehlenbacher

New member
Sep 15, 2009
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In late September, I need to get from Rochester, Michigan to Burlington,
Vermont for a wedding. In the coach, of course. It seems, on paper, logical
to go through Sarnia and up the 401. Turn right just before Montreal and
there we are. The reputation of highway 401 is legendary. Busy, busy, busy.
I'm looking for advice, comments and input from people who use this route.
(Or don't.)
Thanks,
Russ Mehlenbacher

Rochester Hills, MI
76 Eleganza
74 Sequoia
69, 70, 72 Suzuki trucks
 
Getting through Toronto on the 401 is just one big pain in the a$$, so we just bite the bullet and take the 407 (toll road). Its about $50 to take the
coach from the 401 /407 interchange on the other side of Toronto. On the east side of Toronto the 407 ends and you need to follow the signs to get
back on the 401 from there. At least the 407 is a nice road with little traffic in comparison.

Once you are past Oshawa its pretty much clear sailing.
--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
Russ,

An acquaintance that frequently goes that direction goes north of Lake St. Clair as you plan. He crosses at the Blue Water and takes the 402 to about
London and meets 401 there.

The worst times I have ever had at customs anywhere (meaning northern hemisphere) were coming into the US at Detroit.

If there is fuel at the Duty-Free stop, buy it there. If you have to buy fuel in Canada, their premium fuel does not contain alcohol and may be worth
the upgrade. Bruce may add more.

Mary does have family in Ottowa, but we rarely go there.

Safe Travels

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Funny you say that Matt - Same here with coming back to Detroit from
Canada. The angle of the bridge, as we waited in traffic for an hour,
pulled the fuel to the far front of the tanks. This starved the Onan. There
we were - 90 degree heat, on the hot asphalt, with exhaust fumes
everywhere. Kids screaming. Dad was not happy.

Could have been much much worse i suppose. They let us through without an
issue

On Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 8:29 AM Matt Colie via Gmclist <

> Russ,
>
> An acquaintance that frequently goes that direction goes north of Lake St.
> Clair as you plan. He crosses at the Blue Water and takes the 402 to about
> London and meets 401 there.
>
> The worst times I have ever had at customs anywhere (meaning northern
> hemisphere) were coming into the US at Detroit.
>
> If there is fuel at the Duty-Free stop, buy it there. If you have to buy
> fuel in Canada, their premium fuel does not contain alcohol and may be worth
> the upgrade. Bruce may add more.
>
> Mary does have family in Ottowa, but we rarely go there.
>
> Safe Travels
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Yup 407 is the only way to go around Toronto.....the 401 is just to congested....youll burn 50$ in fuel in traffic. Once you clear Oshawa its usually
pretty good but be warned there's alot of truck traffic on the 401 these days.

As for fuel....its a crap shoot as most blends have ethonol in them....i think theres an app that might help if you need it.

On the bright side....traffic when moving will run 65/70 mph or 110 to 118 kph.

BTW....i live just outside Brockville Ontario (about half way ) so if you need anything and if im around....dont hesitate.

--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
I think I will skip Toronto and cross back to the US. Maybe stay the night
at Four Mile Creek State Park, eyeball the Falls and head towards Albany.
Russ

On Thu, Aug 29, 2019, 10:24 AM tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist <

> Yup 407 is the only way to go around Toronto.....the 401 is just to
> congested....youll burn 50$ in fuel in traffic. Once you clear Oshawa its
> usually
> pretty good but be warned there's alot of truck traffic on the 401 these
> days.
>
> As for fuel....its a crap shoot as most blends have ethonol in them....i
> think theres an app that might help if you need it.
>
> On the bright side....traffic when moving will run 65/70 mph or 110 to 118
> kph.
>
> BTW....i live just outside Brockville Ontario (about half way ) so if you
> need anything and if im around....dont hesitate.
>
>
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
I believe the tolls across the NY State Thruway for a GMC motorhome are also exorbitant!

D C "Mac" Macdonald​
Amateur Radio K2GKK​
Since 30 November '53​
USAF and FAA, Retired​
Member GMCMI & Classics​
Oklahoma City, OK​
"The Money Pit"​
TZE166V101966
 
Yes, NY interstate tolls for RV's are obscene. Unless you use your EZPass or similar Michigan system, then the NYS tolls are same as a car, at least
this has been my experience. And the NY EZpass system is the same one used all the way west on the I90, until they stop charging tolls at all as one
heads west.

I have a friend that said she loved 4 mile creek state park, on lake ontario, near Niagara Falls. What day are you coming through?

If you are passing by on NY 104, stop by my distillery just outside Lockport, Saturdays 12-6 and Sunday 12-5 if you want to try some small batch
bourbon, vodka, gin, limoncello, krupnik, or corn whiskey. Can't miss it, we are the only distillery in Niagara County.

I'll pm you my number in case you have any trouble in the Buffalo / Niagara Falls area
--
Todd Snyder, Buffalo NY
1976 Eleganza II
 
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