Us Canada Border Buffalo Crossing Guide and Resources

The Buffalo Crossing, a vital gateway between the US and Canada. The crossing is open 24/7, making it a convenient option for travelers.

Located on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), the Buffalo Crossing is situated near the Peace Bridge, another major border crossing. Both crossings offer easy access to downtown Buffalo and Toronto.

Travelers should be aware that the Buffalo Crossing is a busy port of entry, with long wait times during peak travel seasons. It's essential to plan ahead and check the current wait times before heading to the crossing.

If you're planning to drive, be sure to have all necessary documents, including a valid passport, driver's license, and car insurance.

Crossing the border can be a breeze if you know the right information. The Buffalo Niagara region has four local border crossings in Erie and Niagara Counties, operated by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. You can visit their pages to check wait times, required documentation, and get additional information.

The Peace Bridge is one of the busiest crossings, and it's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. If you're a frequent traveler, you might want to look into the NEXUS Niagara program, which allows pre-approved travelers to expedite processing through dedicated lanes at designated ports of entry.

If you're driving, be aware that once you leave the customs plaza in Canada, you'll need to pay a toll to use the Peace Bridge. You can pay with cash, E-ZPass, or old Peace Bridge tokens. And don't forget to turn off your engine in the parking lots or duty-free shopping areas – it's a "no idling" policy, and commercial carriers can only spend 20 minutes parked in the U.S. duty-free area.

Navigating International Crossings is a crucial part of traveling between the US and Canada. The Buffalo Niagara region has four local border crossings in Erie and Niagara Counties operated by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission.

You can find wait times at each bridge, required documentation, and additional information on the authorities' pages. The Peace Bridge, Lewiston Queenston Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, and Whirpool Bridge are the four local border crossings in the area.

If you're interested in an expedited clearance process, the NEXUS Niagara program allows pre-approved travelers to expedite processing through dedicated lanes at designated ports of entry. This can save you time and hassle when crossing the border.

Here are the hours of operation for the Peace Bridge port: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round

When using the Peace Bridge, keep in mind that there are NEXUS lanes for entering the U.S. or Canada, and NEXUS is accepted as identification in all lanes. The NEXUS hours for the Peace Bridge are available on the authorities' page.

There are also specific rules to follow when using the Peace Bridge, such as shutting off your engine when in the parking lots or duty-free shopping areas. Commercial carriers can spend no more than 20 minutes parked in the U.S. duty-free area.

The Canadian Peace Bridge has a dedicated NEXUS inspection lane, typically open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. However, during special events, commute periods, and heavy summer traffic, additional NEXUS lanes may be opened.

The customs inspection and toll plazas at the Peace Bridge are a crucial part of crossing the border.

The inbound customs plaza in the United States has seven lanes for trucks and nine for cars. Pedestrians and cyclists are processed to the left of the truck inspection area.

The inbound customs plaza in Canada was designed by NORR Limited Architects and Engineers and completed in 2010. There are 14 booths/lanes for cars and a separate area for trucks (handling five trucks at a time). Pedestrians and cyclists are processed in an area on the right side of the inspection area for cars.

Payment for tolls are accepted in cash ($8.00 USD or $10.25 CAD), E-ZPass ($4.00 USD), or old Peace Bridge tokens. There are no toll booths when entering the U.S. and no tolls for pedestrians or cyclists.

Here's a breakdown of the customs plazas at both ends of the bridge:

If you're planning a trip across the US-Canada border in Buffalo, be aware that wait times at the Peace Bridge Border Crossing can vary.

Personal vehicles can expect no delay when entering the US, but if you're heading into Canada, you might experience a 5-minute wait.

Commercial vehicles, on the other hand, can expect no delay when entering the US, but a 26-minute wait when entering Canada.

The preclearance program is a great example of how governments are working together to improve travel experiences. In October 2012, a pilot program was announced to preclear all truck traffic from Canada into Buffalo.

This pilot program was years in the making and was finally set to launch in late December 2012. It was scheduled to run for 18 months, after which the economic benefits would be assessed and its feasibility to make permanent would be recommended to both the U.S Congress and the Parliament of Canada.

If you're planning to cross the Peace Bridge, here are some tips to keep in mind.

The Peace Bridge is open to both pedestrians and cyclists, but don't forget to bring your passports or other border crossing documentation.

You'll find two six-foot-wide pedestrian sidewalks on either side of the bridge, making it easy to navigate on foot or by bike.

Consider using the E-ZPass system for electronic toll collection technology, which saves you 10% off the cash toll rate and is faster than traditional payment methods.

Be aware that traffic is heaviest from May through September, with Friday being the most congested day of the week.

If you're planning to visit during a Buffalo Bills NFL football game, be sure to leave extra time for traffic delays prior to game time.

On the other hand, if you're heading to a Buffalo Sabre Hockey game, expect heavy traffic when the game lets out, as approximately 20% of Sabre fans reside in Southern Ontario.

If you're driving, you can use your GPS to navigate to the bridge, and the coordinates are 42.906932, -78.905759.

If you need to get Ontario road information, you can call the Provincial Call Centre at 1-800-268-4686, or use the 511 service in New York to get almost real-time road conditions information.

Keep an eye out for overhead road signs that will alert you to bridge delays and other road conditions.

And if you're really stuck, you can tune into AM radio station 1610 for significant travel advisory information.

If you're planning to cross the border at the Peace Bridge, it's a good idea to check the wait times before heading out. The wait times can vary greatly depending on the type of vehicle and the current traffic conditions.

For personal vehicles, there's usually no delay, but it's always a good idea to check the latest update. As of the last update at 6:46 pm EDT on April 22, 2025, there's no delay for personal vehicles.

Entering Canada at the Peace Bridge can take a bit longer, with an estimated wait time of 5 minutes. This is a relatively short wait, but it's still something to consider when planning your trip.

The Peace Bridge is open 24 hours a day, which is convenient for travelers who need to cross the border at odd hours. However, it's worth noting that the wait times can be less accurate when the port of entry is busy.

Here's a quick summary of the current wait times at the Peace Bridge:

Keep in mind that these wait times are estimates and may not always be accurate. It's always a good idea to check the latest update before heading out.

If you're planning to travel between New York State and Ontario Province, it's essential to check the current road conditions beforehand.

We have special pages showing all current road advisories for the State of New York and the Province of Ontario. These pages show problems such as roadway snow or ice, lane closures or blockages, road restrictions, traffic problems, and roadwork.

The Peace Bridge border crossing is a major route, and it's a good idea to check the current traffic conditions before heading out.

Always check our page with real time weather, traffic, and border wait times to see current conditions for the Peace Bridge border crossing.

You can find this information on our website, where we have dedicated pages for current road conditions in both New York State and Ontario Province.

The Buffalo Niagara region's economy is closely tied to Southern Ontario, making it crucial to advocate for policies that promote cross-border trade and economic development. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership (BNP) actively works to remove barriers to trade and job creation.

The BNP supports free trade policies to strengthen the bi-national economy and vital trade relationship with Canada. This includes being a founding member of the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, which advocates for balanced trade policy and water quality issues.

To improve border efficiency, the BNP recommends implementing measures such as mandatory e-manifest filing for all trucks, pre-payment of commercial border crossing fees, and enhanced staffing of customs agents during the Peace Bridge rehabilitation project.

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is committed to helping businesses take full advantage of the region's bi-national economy. They've signed agreements with two Southern Ontario Chambers of Commerce, offering reciprocal membership benefits to members of all three chambers.

As a result, members of the Partnership get access to Hamilton and Greater Niagara events and programs at member pricing. This can be a great way for businesses to expand their network and opportunities.

Members of the Partnership are automatically associate members of both Canadian chambers. This means they can participate in events and programs in both the US and Canada, which can be really beneficial for businesses with international connections.

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership has also made it easier for businesses to navigate international border crossings. They've partnered with local border crossing authorities to provide information on wait times, required documentation, and more.

Here are some of the local border crossings in the Buffalo Niagara region:

The Partnership is also a strong advocate for cross-border economy and trade. They work to promote policies that support the free flow of goods and people across the border.

If you're planning to do business or travel across the border, it's essential to know the customs office telephone numbers. The Peace Bridge U.S. Customs Office can be reached at (716) 843-8300.

You'll also need to contact the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority for information on crossing the border. From the U.S., you can call 716-884-6744, while from Canada, you can reach them at 905-871-1608. Their administrative offices are located in Canada at 100 Queen Street, Fort Erie, ON L2A 3S6.

If you're looking for information on Canadian Customs, you can call the Canadian Border Information Service (BIS) for assistance. They can answer your questions or transfer you directly to the Canadian port.

Here are the customs office telephone numbers you need to know:

The Peace Bridge is a major border crossing between the US and Canada, and it's essential to know what to expect when crossing.

This border crossing is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. You can cross the bridge at any time, but be aware of the traffic conditions.

NEXUS lanes are available for entering both the US and Canada, and NEXUS is accepted as identification in all lanes. This can save you time and hassle, especially during peak travel periods.

If you're a commercial carrier, be aware that you're subject to a 20-minute limit in the US duty-free area. You'll need to keep your engine running or shut it off within this time frame.

You can view traffic cams directly on the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority website to get a sense of the current traffic conditions. This can help you plan your trip and avoid delays.

Here are the hours for the NEXUS lanes at the Peace Bridge:

If you're planning to cross the border from Canada into the US at the Peace Bridge, you'll want to know about the dedicated NEXUS inspection lane, which is typically open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekends.

The lane stays open until 10 p.m. if there's a Buffalo Sabres home game. This is a great perk for hockey fans.

During heavy traffic periods, such as special events or commute times, additional NEXUS lanes may be opened to help speed up your crossing.

The Peace Bridge is also equipped with FAST technology, which allows trucks traveling to the US to bypass the truck queue when staging is in place.