Best route to Montreal

[Newbiesaukee]

We are driving to Montreal from the Lakes Region in a few weeks. Of course Google can show me the way, but are there preferred border crossings that would affect the route? Thanks.

[upthesaukee]

I have a friend who goes to Montreal quite regularly, and he takes I89 all the way to the Canadian border, staying on the east side of Lake Champlain.

On the other hand, you can cut across VT and pick up I87 (The Northway) anywhere from the capitol district to Glen Falls. They talk about the Northway as "no traffic lights from Albany to the Canadian border".

Dave

[Meredith AK]

I go to Montreal twice a year to visit a Customer and have gone both up 89 as well as 93. I find the 93 route the most direct and relaxing, switches to 91 in VT, then 55N once over the border and then 10 West straight into Montreal.
Should take you just over 4 hours of drive time, not inlcuding any stops. All highway and no small towns. Recommend stopping in Littleton or St. Johnsbury as you have a few lunch / dinner options there as well as topping off your tank because gas is very expensive in Canada (about 2X-2.5X what it is in the States). Once in Canada, you'll be on the road about and hour and a half before there's food off an exit.
If you go the 89N route, you'll run into countless of little towns along the way once in Canada, as well as lights and stop signs. Scenic, but slower going.

The border crossing at the end of VT91/CN55 is never crowded and vary easy to in and out. On your way back, make sure to stop at the duty-free store just before crossing back into the US. They have great prices on Canadian beer and a Crown Royal Limited Edition whiskey which is one of Crown's best offerings only sold in Canada.

[ishoot308]

Agree with Meredith AK above. The route he stated is the route I have used for years. Never busy at the crossing...

Dan

[Newbiesaukee]

We took the I-93/I-91 route as suggested above. No delay at border crossing either way and a little over 4 hour ride. Oh, and we loved Montreal.

Thank you.