A practical guide to crossing between Detroit and Windsor: documents, NEXUS, bridge vs tunnel, and how to reduce uncertainty when your trip is time-critical.
If you’re booking a ride, use this guide to plan your pickup time and avoid avoidable mistakes.
Border inspections go faster when documents are complete and easy to present. Carry required documents for every traveller in the vehicle.
Assume a passport is required for cross-border travel. Ensure it is valid for your trip date.
Carry documents for all travellers. If travelling with minors, bring any additional documentation you may need.
Be ready to answer questions about what you’re bringing and your trip purpose. Keep it simple and accurate.
NEXUS can reduce delays when eligible. It doesn’t guarantee zero waiting, but it often improves predictability.
Frequent crossers and business travellers often benefit most. Eligibility and lane access depend on the crossing and current setup.
All travellers must be eligible to use dedicated lanes. If one person isn’t eligible, assume you’ll use standard lanes.
You don’t need to guess. The best choice depends on current conditions and your schedule. Drivers typically optimize for arrival predictability.
Common option for cross-border travel. May be preferred depending on time of day and traffic patterns.
Also common. Sometimes better depending on conditions. Selection should align to your timing needs.
Border wait times vary. If your trip has a hard deadline, you should plan with buffers rather than best-case assumptions.
Treat airport departures as high-risk for timing. Add buffer for border + airport time. Call if your departure is early.
For medical or business appointments, build a buffer and prefer earlier pickup times to reduce stress.
If you need to arrive before doors open, buffer time and plan a clear pickup window for the return trip.
Inspection is routine. Stay calm, answer clearly, and follow instructions. Most delays come from incomplete documents or unclear trip details.
Know your destination, trip purpose, and how long you plan to stay. Keep answers short and accurate.
If asked to present documents or open luggage, do so promptly. Drivers can guide the process, but you control your documents.
Fast answers to common cross-border questions.