Question on Canadian border crossings...

[resin addict]

My youngest son and girlfriend, both aged 25 and pretty clean-cut looking, are going to be traveling to visit a friend in Maine, coming from Michigan.
They're looking at either going across Ontario into NY, then on to Maine, or going south into Ohio and either across Pennsylvania or else NY and on to Maine. It's an hour longer to stay in the US the entire way, but we're wondering if there might be any issues/delays by cutting through Canada (delays at the border).
They're going to be leaving Michigan next Thursday around 7:00 in the evening and would be crossing into Canada at around 8:00 to 9:00pm+/-, then back into NY by Buffalo at around 11:00pm+/-.
Both have done some pretty extensive international traveling and have current passports, and both have squeaky clean records, they will be driving a rental car.
Any opinions or advice would be appreciated.
Randy

[beaveren]

They shouldn't have any issue if they are just traveling on holiday and are upfront about their plans and where they will be staying while in the US. I have jumped the border a few times and the only issues I have ever had is crossing into BC from the US.

B

[raydrz]

also then they have to be real particular about what's in the car...of course, NO illegal drugs, but there's limits on the amount of booze as well...you also cannot bring fruits vegetables (we had to throw out 20 lbs of potatoes we were bringing for our shore lunches)...cannot bring flowers/plants...

just saying...there might be some collateral damage with the trip thru canada

[resin addict]

also then they have to be real particular about what's in the car...of course, NO illegal drugs, but there's limits on the amount of booze as well...you also cannot bring fruits vegetables (we had to throw out 20 lbs of potatoes we were bringing for our shore lunches)...cannot bring flowers/plants...

just saying...there might be some collateral damage with the trip thru canada

None of the listed "red flags" would be an issue with either of them, other than fruit...and I'd warn them about that ahead of time. As far as Alcohol, the only thing is on the way back I'd have them stop at the Duty Free store and pickup some stuff for me.
My main concern (and his) is time...it's 15 hours total from here to Maine, and if they can save the hour by cutting across Ontario they'd like to do it, but if Border crossings would tie them up, then they'd probably just do the southern route.
My thought and experience is unless you've got something unusual to declare; or it's a holiday weekend, it shouldn't be an issue at all.

[dr.realart.md]

I agree with everything posted and would add be careful about prescription drugs. They are anal about pills of any sort. It should be a smooth trouble free trip if they have clean records.

[tay666]

Another thing to take into consideration.
I can tell you there is a lot of road construction along the north shore of Ohio.
At least from Cleveland to Pennsylvania, on 271 and 90.

[rachmtl]

And they need to prove they have permission from the car rental company to take the car across the border. (at least that's how it is for us Canadians driving a rental into the US)