First run to Canada

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by VIDEODROME, Jul 20, 2011.

  1. lostNfound

    lostNfound Road Train Member

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    3.79 litres = 1 U.S. gallon

    Generally, but not always, it is cheaper to buy fuel in the U.S. Usually the only time it is cheaper in Canada is if the $CDN is well below the $USD.

    For Canadian cash what I do in the U.S. might work for you. I make a purchase at Walmart (groceries in my case) and then max out on the cash back. There are no fees on the Walmart transaction and the exchange rate on my card was as good as I would get at any bank (in fact, it is the bank rate as it is on my bank credit card). Generally the least favourable exchange rates are at retailers and money changers. Sometimes though, especially near the border, retailers will exchange at par.

    xe.com has current exchange rates.

    And yes, cellular rates in Canada border on extortionate, so if you can get a plan out of the U.S. that allows so many minutes in Canada, or unlimited, etc., you are far better off than getting boned with roaming charges.
     
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  3. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

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    angola, in
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    Well for now I'm just not making calls or using my aircard and I'm just talking to my company on the Qualcomm. For internet I'm hitting Wifi hotspots like McDonalds.
     
  4. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    +1 on the cell phone deal, only in reverse for me. I'm a Canadian driver who does a lot of US. While in the US, I pay $1.45/minute incoming or outgoing. A lot of guys I know around here buy cheap US based prepay phones with international calling. Quite a few more get phones with Verizon with their NOrth America plan. Supposedly it's around $50/month.

    As far as fueling goes, it's the opposite for us, since as Canadians, we're entitled to get the HST tax back, so we're better off topping off in Canada.

    Don't even get me started on Montreal. Yup, nice scenery of the female persuasion, but speaking as a franco-canadian, most of US even hate Quebecers.

    Lastly, poutine is God's way of telling us he loves us and wants us to be happy.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2011
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  5. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

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    Well I'm still here taking a chance I might get a paid load out of here instead of deadheading out. I'm only sticking around because I seem to be the only Tri-State van on the board here so I'm first in line if Tri-State finds anything.

    I was hoping the weather would be cooler up this way. I did to a walk along the shoreline of Lake Ontario though and there was a nice breeze.

    Also while I'm here I thought I'd ask how the border crossing is for returning Americans. I've always heard it's more of a pain entering the U.S. then Canada. I just wondered if that's true.
     
  6. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Only problem I can see is that when you enter Canada, they ask you how long you intend to be there. As commercial, you have to watch this.
     
  7. lil may

    lil may Road Train Member

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    Make sure to mind your "P"s and "Q"s when coming back to the US and have your ducks in a row
     
  8. Old Tom

    Old Tom Light Load Member

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    When crossing into Canada from Detroit (Ambassador Bridge) stop at the Duty Free and gas/fuel up there. You can also pick up "Duty Free" smokes. Current price for diesel is around $3.70 gal, Marlborough's are $37carton. When you fill up with diesel you also get a free coffee and large sandwich (they're *really* good).

    Crossing back into the US, there is no Duty Free diesel or gas, and the smokes aren't a great deal either, so stock up before you enter Canada.
     
  9. Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    Sorrento, Louisiana
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    First trip to Canada and you ate the Poutine huh? Boy, you are in deeep trouble.:biggrin_2555:

    When you get back to the states you will begin to miss it. You'll find yourself thinking more and more how good it was. You'll look around for it but there ain't none. You'll ask seedy looking characters where you can get some. You'll approach Canadian trucks with "Got any Poutine??? Even some leftovers?". Desperation will set in. You'll try to make your own, but it will not be the same. You'll start losing weight because nothing else will do. You'll get all hollow-eyed because you can't sleep for dreams about Poutine. You'll start hanging around the shoreline hoping the wind is right so you might catch the faint smell of Poutine. You'll start begging dispatch for more and more Canadian runs.There ain't no Poutine anonomous, no 39 steps to recovery, no cures. You done been GOT man.:biggrin_25521:

    Onliest hope you got son is move down here to Louseeann, the home of Jambolia, Crawfish Pie, Filee Gumbo. Anywheres else and you're lost.:biggrin_2553:

    Somebody should have warned y'all. Sorry bout that.:biggrin_255:
     
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  10. johnday

    johnday Road Train Member

    I can't stand poutine!!! Run, it's really poison!!! But it will help ya to read the roadsigns over in "Little France"!!!:biggrin_2559:

    Maybe a helpful hint with dealing with the US Border Nazis. Make sure you do everything they want, they totally flip out like a mallwart worker if ya screw up.
    When coming back to Michigan thru Detroit, Port Huron, or the Soo, and you're empty, you don't need a 7533 form, or an electronic manifest, just tell them you're empty. I come back from the Soo every night, the most I get is Xrayed nightly. The larger crosssings, like Buffalo and Lewiston didn't require anything if you were empty. But you may want to check on that, it's been a while since I've done anything but Michigan crossings.
    I always wished for a load to Alaska from Toronto or Montreal, I'd love to cross the all of Canada, great people there.:biggrin_25525:
     
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  11. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

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    angola, in
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    Well I wound up giving up on Toronto for a load so I came back through Buffalo.

    It seems Tri-State likes my passport. I picked up a load in Buffalo and running through the weekend to Stellarton, Nova Scotia.
     
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