First time running into Canada

You'll end up just north of Toronto, near Canada's Wonderland. A mix of industrial and residential properties. Should be easy to navigate. The run itself is 402/401/400 which is simple enough. You'll go through three inspection stations, the worst of which is just after you hop on the 401, in Putnam. They are the "super coops" which may be open. This inspection station may inspect your logs, I've had mine checked a few times theree. There's a Flying J in London which is just after the 402/401 transition. There is also another truck stop called the Fifth Wheel and that will be in Milton, just west of Mississauga. The last Flying J will be in Mississauga at Dixie Road, after which I cannot recall any truck stops between Mississauga and Vaughan on your route.

Hopefully you won't be driving through Mississauga between 3pm-6:30pm, the peak rush hour traffic time. Expect it to be very slow from Eglinton Avenue to the 400. Once you cross the border you're probably looking at a 3.5 hour drive to Vaughan in good traffic. You'll get a nice view of Toronto Pearson Airport on the north side of the highway and possibly a view of Canada's Wonderland (amusement park) when you're heading north on the 400.

Our Hos is 14 on duty, 13 drive. You can take 8 hours off if you defer 2 hours off-duty, but I'd take the 10 hours to be safe. If you're on the 7-day clock, you must take 36 hours off. Your best bet is the Flying J in Mississauga, but try to get there a little early as the lot is not very large and will fill up quickly. It's an industrial area but there are plenty of bars, strip clubs (due to proximity to airport), fast food restaurants around.

Try buying your things at a Wal-Mart, either before or after crossing into Ontario. Prices are relatively similar to what you're used to. Make sure your paperwork for crossing is correct.

Most of all, enjoy your trip. If you want the most of your experience, try heading to downtown Toronto while you're on your reset. Public transit will get you down there and I guarantee you will enjoy yourself if you plan things in advance. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away!

Drive safe.

 

It would be expensive. You cannot travel on the 407 without a Heavy Duty Transponder. I've heard that OPP will chase you down and fine you heavily. Not sure if that's true or not, but I've been warned from other drivers.

 

the first thing to get in your head is this is a foreign country. The OPP can pull you over for a lot of reasons, they are nice about it but if they ask about speed limiters, then you will see them pull out their little computer to check it.

the second thing is to as mentioned is to make sure your custom's paper work going into Canada has been cleared and MAKE extra copied for yourself to keep just in case.

IF you get a load out of Canada, make sure that you have it cleared before thinking about going to the border, then make sure you have everything including the customs fees exact amount in US money in order, from your passport to the fees to the ACE manifest all ready to go.

As for laws over there, just watch your speed, don't get trapped with going with the flow of traffic that may creep up to 120kph and just take it easy.

Where to park, the 401/402 have rest areas, ok food and you can reset there.

I would also fuel only in the states if you can, Pilot is on i69 just outside of Port Huron and it is only a mile or so from i94. I try hard, even if I don't pay for fuel to fuel up in Canada, not because of any reason other than it costs more.

 

Don't forget to write your beginning and ending mileag for each day as well as the plate numbers for truck and trailer on your log. Driving up there is a breeze. Seems like drivers there are much friendlier and more respectful of trucks. Toronto is bad, but no worse than the NE US.

If I had to pick a country to live in, I think it'd be Canada.

 

No charge going in, $10.75 coming back out.

 

You pay a toll at both Sarnia and Windsor to enter Canada. I'm almost positive you pay to enter the US from Sarnia but not at Detroit.

 

Forgot about the toll bridges, but you are right. The 10.75 is just the us commercial customs fee. I'veer crossed back over the Ambassador, just the Bluewater.

 

I've never paid to enter Canadia.

 

NO you don't pay to go into canada other than bridge tolls, which are not uniformed at all. BWB will be different than Detroit's bridge.

BUT The us customs' fee for commercial vehicles is the same everywhere, there is no difference.

As for staying overnight, make sure you are prepared for their questions about what you did and you may be selected for a random search. Don't forget that they do not need your permission to search you, they also will not explain to you what they are searching for or why.