Everyone knows that Canada is located north of the continental United States. There is, however, one city in the contiguous U.S. from which you can drive due south into Canada. Weird, right? Do you think you know which city we're talking about? Take a look at the cities below and then scroll down to find out if you're right!
(Photo credit: mcgphoto, Depositphotos.com)
From which city in the continental U.S. can you drive due south into Canada?
a) Buffalo, New York
b) Houlton, Maine
c) Detroit, Michigan
d) International Falls, Minnesota
e) Blaine, Washington
The Rainbow Bridge and Niagara Falls in Buffalo, NY (Photo credit: LoneStarForever, Depositphotos.com)
It isn't Buffalo, NY.
Canada and the United States share a border at the beautiful Niagara Falls waterfalls at Buffalo, New York and the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Typically, Canadians and Americans can cross the Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge by foot, bicycle, or car 24 hours per day, 365 days per year unless there is a border crossing restriction.
The start of I-95 in Houlton, Maine (Photo credit: Christopher Ziemnowicz, Wikimedia)
It isn't Houlton, ME.
Houlton is probably best known for being located at the northern terminus of the Interstate 95. This 303-mile-long highway runs from the New Hampshire state line, through Maine, and then reaches the Canadian border. From here, drivers can cross into Woodstock, New Brunswick in Canada. This crossing point is aptly named the Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing.
Ice Box Days in International Falls (Photo credit: International Falls Chamber of Commerce)
It isn't International Falls, MN.
International Falls is famous for being the coldest city in the contiguous United States. The city's Ice Box Days festival in January celebrates this chilly fact. Cross from here into its sister city, Fort Frances, ON via the International Bridge.
Peace Arch between Blaine and Surrey (Photo credit: Hannamariah, Depositphotos.com)
It isn't Blaine, WA.
The Peace Arch Border Crossing connects Blaine with Surrey, British Columbia. A unique feature of this border area is the binational Peace Arch Park, where Canadians and Americans can commingle without needing to go through Immigration. The park — which includes flowers, fountains, and ponds — is often the site of weddings.
Ambassador Bridge that spans between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan (Photo credit: titoslack, Depositphotos.com)
You can drive south from Detroit, Michigan to Canada!
The answer is c) Detroit, MI. Almost all of Canada is located north of the U.S., besides Alaska. In the Lower 48, however, you can get to Ontario, Canada by driving due south from Detroit, Michigan. The Ambassador Bridge joins Detroit with its Canadian neighbor, Windsor, ON. What's more, this is the busiest crossing point between the U.S. and Canada. As a matter of fact, the four-lane bridge carries more than 10,000 commercial vehicles on a typical weekday.
Canada and the USA share the world's longest international border (Photo credit: Ruletkka, Depositphotos.com)
United States-Canadian Border
The U.S.-Canada border is the longest international border shared by two countries. In fact, the border is more than 5,500 miles long. The U.S. and Canada also share one of the most stable and mutually-beneficial multinational relationships in the world.
The Earth from Space (Photo credit: NASA, 1xpert, Depositphotos.com)
Test your travel trivia knowledge!
Do you love learning facts about the world? Then you’ll love checking out more of our travel trivia questions! Test your global knowledge with the questions below.
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Take a look at additional travel trivia questions!
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Have you ever crossed a U.S.-Canadian border by car, foot, or bicycle? Let us know in the comments below!
About Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama
Wow, I had no idea there was only one city in the United States from which you can drive directly south into Canada. It’s amazing how borders and geography can create such unique geographical oddities. I’m always fascinated by trivia like this, and it’s great to see that there are still so many hidden gems and little-known facts waiting to be discovered. Thank you for sharing this interesting titbit of information with us.
Ellis – From one trivia lover to another, thank you for your comment! I love discovering and sharing these fascinating little fun facts about our world!
Hi! I am trying to do a roadtrip from Maine, USA into Quebec. Does anyone know of a car rental agency that would allow us to rent a car in Maine and drop off in Montreal? I have called a ton of places and simply they either do not know or just do not allow it. Thanks!
Hi Laura – I’ll check with my fellow family travel bloggers and see if anyone has a solution for you!
Hi Laura – I’ve got a friend who has done a similar trip. His parents are scheduled to do the same this summer and booked their car through Alamo. They will be picking up in Quebec and dropping off in Boston. Enjoy your trip!
Having lived in the Detroit area for eleven years this was something I was aware of, but it was not a well-known fact by even those who lived in the area. That’s because the entry to Canada was at the end of the Ambassador Bridge which crossed the Detroit River. We didn’t need passports, just our drivers license.