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Thousand Islands Border Wait Times

Live commercial truck delays at Thousand Islands (Ontario ↔ New York) · updated every 15 minutes from CBP and CBSA

Current wait: 0 min US-bound · 0 min CA-bound. Data from official CBP (US-bound) and CBSA (CA-bound) feeds, polled about every 15 minutes.

US-bound
0 min
Status: open · Updated 2026-07-29 09:21 UTC · Source: CBP
CA-bound
0 min
Status: no_delay · Updated 2026-07-29 09:21 UTC · Source: CBSA

Last 24 hours

About the Thousand Islands crossing

The Thousand Islands Bridge crosses the St. Lawrence River between Lansdowne, Ontario and Alexandria Bay, New York, linking Highway 137 to I-81. It is a key crossing on the Toronto-Ottawa-to-Syracuse-Northeast corridor and carries a steady flow of general freight along the 401/I-81 route. Volume is moderate and waits are usually reasonable, but it is a scenic bridge span with no FAST lane, so pre-approved carriers on the eastern Ontario lane sometimes weigh it against the Prescott-Ogdensburg crossing nearby.

Connecting highways: Highway 137 (Lansdowne, ON) ↔ I-81 (Alexandria Bay, NY)

Planning tips for Thousand Islands

  • Highway 137 to I-81 is the direct eastern-Ontario link toward Syracuse and the US Northeast off the 401.
  • No FAST lane — the nearby Prescott-Ogdensburg crossing is the other eastern-Ontario option to compare.
  • Summer tourist traffic on the Thousand Islands span can mingle with commercial flow; overnight and shoulder-season runs are cleanest.

Before you cross at Thousand Islands

Skip the booth-side scramble. Both CBP and CBSA require electronic advance notification at least one hour before a commercial truck reaches the border.

  • US-bound: file an ACE eManifest with CBP at least 1 hour before arrival
  • CA-bound: file an ACI eManifest with CBSA at least 1 hour before arrival
  • Lead sheet: ensure your driver has a valid PARS or PAPS barcode for the trip
  • Documents: commercial invoice, bill of lading, and any commodity-specific permits in the cab

When is Thousand Islands busiest?

Most US-Canada commercial crossings follow the same broad pattern: weekdays are heavier than weekends, mid-week is heavier than Monday or Friday, and daytime hours are heavier than overnights. Specific peak windows vary by port, but the table below is a useful planning baseline. Always check the live wait times above before making routing decisions.

Time window Typical congestion
Mon–Fri 06:00–10:00 localElevated — morning dispatch wave
Tue–Thu 10:00–16:00 localPeak — heaviest commercial volume
Fri 14:00–18:00 localElevated — weekend repositioning
Weekday 22:00–05:00 localLight — fastest crossings
Weekends & statutory holidaysLight — minimal commercial queue

Nearby crossings

If Thousand Islands is backed up, these crossings may be faster alternatives. Live wait times for each are updated every 15 minutes.

Thousand Islands reference

CBP port code: 0708
CBSA FPOA code: 0645
Timezone: America/Toronto

Frequently asked questions

Which highways connect at the Thousand Islands crossing?

Highway 137 on the Lansdowne, Ontario side connects to I-81 on the Alexandria Bay, New York side via the Thousand Islands Bridge. It ties the Highway 401 corridor into I-81 toward Syracuse and the US Northeast.

Does the Thousand Islands crossing have a FAST lane?

No, the Thousand Islands crossing does not have a FAST lane. Carriers on the eastern Ontario lane who want to weigh options can compare it against the nearby Prescott-Ogdensburg crossing using the live wait times for each.

When is Thousand Islands typically busiest?

Commercial truck volumes at most US-Canada crossings peak mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) during daytime business hours. Monday mornings and Friday afternoons also see elevated delays as carriers reposition for the workweek. Weekends and overnight hours are generally the lightest. Live wait times above reflect actual current conditions, which can deviate from these patterns during holidays, weather events, or inspection surges.

How are these wait times measured?

Wait times are published directly by the border agency responsible for each direction of travel: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for US-bound commercial traffic and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for Canada-bound traffic. Values represent the estimated delay between joining the back of the truck queue and reaching the primary inspection booth. BorderPro polls the official feeds every 15 minutes.

What do I need to file before crossing at Thousand Islands?

US-bound commercial trucks need an ACE eManifest submitted to CBP at least one hour before arrival. Canada-bound trucks need an ACI eManifest submitted to CBSA one hour before arrival. Drivers should also carry the appropriate PARS or PAPS lead sheet, commercial invoice, and any commodity-specific permits.

Does Thousand Islands have a FAST lane?

FAST lane availability changes — confirm with CBP and CBSA before relying on it for this crossing. The FAST (Free and Secure Trade) program offers expedited processing at participating commercial ports for pre-approved carriers and drivers.

What are the CBP and CBSA port codes for Thousand Islands?

US-bound shipments use CBP port code 0708. Canada-bound shipments use CBSA FPOA code 0645. These codes are required on eManifest filings and customs documentation — BorderPro fills them in automatically when you select Thousand Islands on a manifest.

How accurate are border wait time estimates?

Wait time data comes directly from the official border agencies and reflects measured queue conditions at the time of the most recent poll. Conditions can change quickly — a single inspection hold can add 30+ minutes within a 15-minute window. Use live wait times as a planning baseline, not a guarantee, and build in buffer for inspections, paperwork holds, and weather.

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