Depending on your driving habits, mostly how many hours per day you are comfortable driving, staying 'farther south' would add as much as half a day...
Be advised that even as I type this it's snowing in Tucson! Yes, it's literally just a few flakes rather than a true nor'easter, but still it 'snows'...
I agree with Michael that the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia is your best option for a crossing point. You could then use I-69 to completely bypass the...