Question About the Border on Game Days

[CA OC Bills Fan]

I'm bringing my family from CA to the Tampa Bay game this week. We're staying at my father's house in Rochester on Friday night but driving to Niagara Falls Ontario Saturday. Staying in a hotel (Sheraton Falls View) Saturday night and of course going across the boarder Sunday to go to the game.

 

My question is, how long should I expect it to take to get back to the US from Canada on a Sunday morning before the game? I've never had a problem going through from Canada, but I've never really had any time commitment before.

[Billsatlastin2018]

Go through the Rainbow- not the Peace Bridge.  Take 190, Exit at the 5… down the back way. Avoids ALL the heavy action at the Peace Bridge.

 

We did exactly that for the Saints game.

 

You won’t be disappointed.

[shane nelson]

WAZE is the only way to go

[CA OC Bills Fan]

On 11/10/2025 at 9:24 PM, Billsatlastin2018 said:

Go through the Rainbow- not the Peace Bridge.  Take 190, Exit at the 5… down the back way. Avoids ALL the heavy action at the Peace Bridge.

 

We did exactly that for the Saints game.

 

You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you! And yes,I will use Waze.

 

Just living in So Cal where it can take hours to get through the southern border, and knowing it's never taken me long to enter from Canada, I don't want to be surprised on Sunday. 

[Livinginthepast]

If you have Nexus take the whirlpool bridge. Its usually very quiet. If not Rainbow would be better than Peace. I always avoid the Queenston Lewiston, often a gridlocked nightmare.

[HOUSE]

Buy a Sabres jacket.

Yell "GO SABRES"

Customs will think you are crazy, they just wave you by

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by HOUSE

[ChevyVanMiller]

This website has up-to-the-minute bridge wait times updates. There is also live camera views of bridge traffic. It will let you know which bridge is your best bet on game day.

 

https://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/

[Wacka]

Don't know if it will be done by Sunday, but a truck on the Southbound  190 hit the bridge carrying Niagara Falls Blvd over it and the 190 South has been closed at that exit since Thursday to repair it. The detour is only one exit.  I am not that familiar with the NF area but you may avoid it if you take the Rainbow Bridge from Canada  to the Niagara Scenic Parkway..

[Billsatlastin2018]

16 hours ago, Livinginthepast said:

If you have Nexus take the whirlpool bridge. Its usually very quiet. If not Rainbow would be better than Peace. I always avoid the Queenston Lewiston, often a gridlocked nightmare.

NEXUS is by far the best!

And the designated NEXUS bridge near the Rainbow is the best of the best. Takes me SECONDS to cross.

 

But, I was assuming this guy doesn’t even know what NEXUS is, plus EVERYONE in the car needs to have it to use the Whirlpool Bridge!

[Livinginthepast]

2 hours ago, Billsatlastin2018 said:

NEXUS is by far the best!

And the designated NEXUS bridge near the Rainbow is the best of the best. Takes me SECONDS to cross.

 

But, I was assuming this guy doesn’t even know what NEXUS is, plus EVERYONE in the car needs to have it to use the Whirlpool Bridge!

Good point! So in that case Rainbow would be the go to.

[Draconator]

And now for something completely different. When in Niagara On The Lake, The Irish Harp is a must stop for lunch! Authentic Irish Pub. Get the Curry Fries!

[BuffaloBillyG]

Pro tip: If you adamantly tell them they do not have your consent to look in your trunk or glove box they will know you are an experienced traveler who knows what's up and they will fast track you through.

[Mango]

On 11/10/2025 at 9:24 PM, Billsatlastin2018 said:

Go through the Rainbow- not the Peace Bridge.  Take 190, Exit at the 5… down the back way. Avoids ALL the heavy action at the Peace Bridge.

 

We did exactly that for the Saints game.

 

You won’t be disappointed.

 

On 11/14/2025 at 11:14 AM, CA OC Bills Fan said:

Thank you! And yes,I will use Waze.

 

Just living in So Cal where it can take hours to get through the southern border, and knowing it's never taken me long to enter from Canada, I don't want to be surprised on Sunday. 

 

I wouldn't use Waze or Google maps. There's too much of a delay in information.

 

If you don't have Nexus, Rainbow is almost always the answer. But I still pull the live bridge traffic info before I make a final decision.

 

https://www.peacebridge.com/media-room/traffic-cameras/

 

(Scroll to the bottom for bridge crossing times)

[BillsShredder83]

2 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Pro tip: If you adamantly tell them they do not have your consent to look in your trunk or glove box they will know you are an experienced traveler who knows what's up and they will fast track you through.

Certain metals negatively effect ions in alcohol. I cant remember which ones, to cover your bases, make sure to get a handful of random change in your mouth and you can not fail a breathalyzer.

 

With that said, you should never roll down your window. You are a sovereign citizen, command they treat you with respect, and you will have it.

 

Remember- you pay their wages. Assertively remind them at every turn of conversation.