Get your passports ready because it’s time to cross the US–Canada border. Going on a road trip from the United States to Canada, or Canada to the United States, doesn’t have to take too much time. You can escape into nature or the hustle and bustle of urban life within just a few hours, sometimes, just a few minutes! We’ve rounded up our favorite US–Canada Cross Border Road Trips for you to embark your next road trip on and a few road trip routes to try.
Note: Be sure to check out the Federal and Provincial travel information sites for the latest information on vaccination and testing requirements for your destination.
Toronto residents looking for an escape can cross the border go to Mackinac City, Michigan to take a ferry out to Mackinac Island. The island is popular for its timelessness and innocence, from horse-drawn carriages to world-famous fudge to parasailing. You’ll be sure to make summertime memories escaping the big city for a simpler time.
Book your stay at Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront.
If you’re a Toronto resident looking for a shorter trip, but still an escape, take a three-hour drive to Upstate New York. Rochester is filled with wine tours, from the Canandaigua Wine Trail to the Keuka Lake Winery Tour so you can fill your cup and drink it, too. Or swing by Lake Placid, which is filled with outdoor activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding and scenic sunset views.
Book your stay at Hotel on Monroe, BW Signature Collection or Best Western Adirondack Inn.
On the flip side, if you live in Upstate New York and are looking for a new perspective, a trip to Niagara Falls – the Canadian side – is a must do. From Buffalo, New York, it’s only a short 30-minute ride to Queen Victoria Park. From there, you can take a boat, zipline, or even access the Rainbow Bridge to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Cairn Croft Hotel.
Portland, Maine provides a nature escape away from the bustle of Montreal and is only a short five-hour drive across the border making it an ideal day road trip. Visit the Portland Head Light, an iconic lighthouse built in 1791 that’s been guiding sailors in New England for hundreds of years. Peaks Island is an escape within an escape, with charming café and boutiques that will help you rest and relax from city life.
Book your stay Best Western Merry Manor Inn.
If you need a romantic escape from Vancouver, try a four-hour drive to Gig Harbor, Washington. Take a stroll in Downtown Gig Harbor to set the mood. The scenic harbor is filled with specialty shops for shopping, dining, and savoring maritime moments. For a unique and romantic experience, take a gondola ride with Gig Harbor Gondola for a slow, steady ride in the water.
Book your stay at Best Western Wesley Inn & Suites.
Cross the border from “The Motor City” of Detroit to Windsor, Ontario in less than ten minutes! Located 2 miles from Detroit, Windsor, Ontario is located on the Detroit River, and has ample views of the Detroit Skyline from your hotel. The hotel is also only two kilometers from the Canadian Club building, where Prohibition-era deals were made by the notorious Al Capone and Detroit’s Purple Gang.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel.
If you live in Fargo, North Dakota and are looking for a day trip and family-friendly adventure, drive three hours to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Assiniboine Park Conservatory includes an English Garden and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, and the Assiniboine Park Zoo consists of over 80 acres and nearly 200 animal species which will delight your little ones. The Manitoba Museum is a natural history museum you don’t want to miss and the food at The Forks Market will please even the pickiest of eaters.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Pembina Inn & Suites.