Entering Chicago

Hi!

My husband and I are planning a six-week trip for this summer. We are hoping to travel back to Vancouver, BC from Toronto, Ontario through the US and have already generated a long list of cities and National Parks that we would like to visit. The first thing that we want to address, though, is how to assure that we will be allowed into the States.

We are both in our mid-twenties and will be travelling in our own car. The last time we travelled down to northern New York the customs official grilled us - I guess we are prime candidates for staying on & working illegally. What can we do to prevent being turned back? I have a short list of documents, but what other things can people advise us to do? I looked at the US Embassy webpage, but was disappointed that the only contact provided was via expense 900 numbers (although understandable given the amount of volume that they must have to deal with). Oh. Both of us are well-dressed & clean-cut - so drugs, etc. is not an issue.

Anyway, here is the documents list so far:
1- Our passports
2- A copy of our moving company receipt (we are shipping stuff west)
3- A copy of our itinerary, including some of the people we are planning on staying with.
4- A letter of admission to a university program in Canada for the fall

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

It is a sad fact of life that crossing the US-Canada border is no longer the exercise in civility and friendliness that is was even 30 years ago. As far as I know, what you are required to show on crossing either way is proof of citizenship and government issued photo ID. Your passport covers both of these requirements. The other set of documents that is usually recommended in lieu of it is your birth certificate (or a notarized copy) and your driver's license. A driver's license alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee a successful border crossing.

The other fact to keep in mind is that it is not just the obvious 'usual suspects' and people who fit some secret profile that will get stopped and questioned. A certain number of border crossers will be chosen strictly at random. Others will be stopped simply because 'something' triggers the officer's intuition. Both the US and Canada have vaguely worded laws that allow the border agents considerable leeway in determining whom to admit. I am a case in point. In the course of my career(s) I have picked up security clearances from two separate US agencies. I have earned professional certificates from two others. I am hardly a threat. Nevertheless, I have been refused entry into Canada once, and on another occasion I was strip searched and issued an 18 hour visa. A couple of years ago my wife was refused boarding on a plane to Canada because she did not have the documentation listed above.

So, I guess the point is to not take it personally, and keep a smile on your face during the process. You have all the documentation you should need. Even so, plan on the border crossing alone taking at least half an hour. And remember that the border agents are charged with an exceedingly difficult task - to protect you.

AZBuck

So a valid driver's license will not allow you passage across the border? In that case, what else is required: A passport, or can you get by with just the license and some other document (specify)?

A passport, even an expired one, is always best, but a drivers license and an official copy of your birth certificate is also perfectly fine.

I've also been told by customs officials that a voter registration card is acceptable as proof of citizenship, however a social security card will not work.

According to the US Customs and Border Protection website, you need to establish identity and citizenship. There are 3 documents that can proof your citizenship :

* Birth certificate
* Citizenship certificate
* Passport.

I live ~30 minutes from the US boundary, I cross that border every 2-3 weeks and I always got away by showing only my driver's license. But you better be safe than sorry! Since the US authorities will apparently require all non US citizens (incl. Canadians) to show passports at port of entries by January 2007, I strongly suggest you both bring your passports.

Gen

Actually, US citizens will be required to have passports to get back into the US as well. I don't remember if that starts in 2007 or 2008.

The last time I crossed into Canada via the Blaine/Surrey Crossing on I-5, it was mearly a check of my brothers drivers license, a few questions such as "any fruits or veggies?" and "how long are you going to be in Canada?". That was back in 1996 (and getting into the US was just as easy).

Like everyone else has stated, passport is the best way to go. I will have to check with the travel agents I have sitting around me at work, but I know the government has bumped up by a few months the date of requireing passports to enter the US.

I will check with them on monday.

-Brad

I haven't had any problems with quick jaunts across the border (2-3 days) or even a 14 day stay two summers ago. I am just concerned that my husband and I might seem like prime "stay and work illegally" candidates & I want to do all I can to ensure that we won't be turned back.

Hi!
My husband and I are moving West this summer and decided to take advantage of being between school and work to meander our way across the country. We have created a list of places we really want to see - but are we being too optimistic? We are hoping to spend about 6-8 weeks.

Starting point: Ottawa, Canada
Ending point: Vancouver, Canada

and we're off:
Boston
Washington, DC (we've already visited NYC, but where would be a good in
between point?)
Chicago (again, something to looking forward to in the next section of road??)
Arches NP
Canyonlands NP
Capital Reef NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Zion NP
Grand Canyon NP (yes, we LOVE national parks & hope to do 1 or 2 three day
backpacking trips)
Las Vegas
Death Valley NP
Sequoia NP
Kings Canyon NP
Yosemite NP
San Francisco
Napa Valley
Salt Lake City
Grand Teton NP
Yellowstone NP
Glacier NP
Waterton NP (canada)

I realise that there are a lot of National Parks here - some we might simply drive through, others stay for two nights & do a day hike during our single day there. We anticipate spending 2-3 days in each of the cities - so if you have any recommendations we would love to hear them! Also - are we missing any amazing spots that should replace some of the ones we have listed? Any great highways (even the smaller 2 lane sort?)

Thanks in advance :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crazycdn

We are hoping to spend about 6-8 weeks.
Starting point: Ottawa, Canada; Ending point: Vancouver, Canada

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Wow! I am not sure that it is physically possible to see all of those places in 6-8 weeks, but it would be an amazing trip to try. What kind of vehicle are you driving? Could you provide an overview of the relative days you are anticipating at each of these destinations -- If so, we might be able to give you some useful ideas.

Mark

Yeah, I can see how that list might be a bit ambitious without details. Okay- here's sort of what we have in mind

2-3 days Boston
3 days Washington
3 days Chicago

From the feedback elsewhere on the forum it sounds like Arches, Zion and the Grand Canyon National Parks are the most exciting ones - again, probably 3-4 days in each of these. Would it be a mistake to drive through/do a short hike in Canyonlands/Bryce Canyon National Park?

2 days Las Vegas (neither of us are v. excited about casinos, but its a place that you have to visit once in your life & we figure it would be nice to splurge and stay at a swanky hotel to break up the trip a bit)

3 days each in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks & probably just short hikes in Death Valley & Kings Canyon during a "drive through" - again, are we picking the right parks to spend some extra time in? Generally we like to do some overnight backcountry stuff, or car camping with a lengthy day hike

2-3 days San Franscisco. This is where my husband really wants to stop. To be honest I am not sure of the attractions/how much time would be needed to get a taste for the city....

Napa Valley. A couple of wine tours, maybe 2 nights in the area. Any suggestions for where to go/visit/stay would be great.

Salt Lake City - we would be just as happy going around the city. It just serves as a geographical in between on our way to Grand Teton & Yellowstone. We will probably focus our energies on Yellowstone - hopefully a 4 days backcountry hike.

Then onto Glacier NP and Wateron NP - we have heard beautiful things about both of these parks, but since they are closer, maybe just a night in each & a day hike in between :)

I realise that this basically amounts to 6 weeks without allowing for any driving days in between destinations. We are really committed to visiting Boston, Washington & Chicago since we are moving West and are unlikely to chose to spend our holidays in the future coming back east to visit cities. I think it would be hard to talk ourselves out of California... but we might have to.

Suggestions are most definitely welcome!
Thanks

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/grand06.jpg
Seriously, I liked Bryce far more than I liked Arches or Zion. Oh, they're all gorgeous. They should all be visited, imho. But, since you're so close to Bryce, it would be a shame to miss it. The rock formations are really quite bizarre and beautiful. I would definitely try to squeeze it in even if you can only go for one day.

Where in the west are you moving to? Is it possible for you to skip California and some of the other western destinations on this trip and do them another time? If you'll be living closer to them, couldn't you do shorter trips to some of these destinations later and, thus, give yourselves more time in other places farther east?

Just an idea.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Judy

Where in the west are you moving to?

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Judy, their destination is Vancouver, BC (from first post of this thread).

I agree about not missing Bryce Canyon. Zion is one of if not "the" favourite of national parks for many. You might want to schedule the horse(mule) ride 1/2 day down into Bryce Canyon. Fun & gives you a different viewpoint. Would break up your days of driving too.Personally I would just do a twilight drive through Las Vegas, see the lights, perhaps walk through a casino or two that evening, stay overnight one night and leave (especially if you are not gamblers).It is an ambitious trip for 6-8 weeks. I agree with others that if you are living in Vancouver area(?) you might be able to do Glacier/Walkerton or some of west coast another time.

Hello!

I did a quick search on Chicago parking/driving but couldn't find what I really need. My husband & I have decided that we need to be downtown Chicago to be able to see the sights that we want to in the time that we have allocated. We will be staying at the HI Hostel at the south end of the loop. They have an arrangement for parking ($18- day) nearby.

My question is: What is the best route into Chicago?

We will be arriving from Washington, DC but don't mind a bit of a detour if it means being safer/having to pay a few extra tolls.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jennifer

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

The standard way into downtown Chicago from the east is to just continue on I-90 all the way. From the Indiana Toll Road just follow the signs for I-90 and the Chicago Skyway. Your other option, I-94, is currently under construction and should be avoided. One other option you should be aware of, although it would take you considerably longer, is US-41, Lake Shore Drive, along Lake Michigan, but this follows surface streets with traffic lights and the like.

AZBuck

The real headache for Chicago travel right now is on the Dan Ryan - aka I-90-94 - right at the south end of downtown. Its a project so bad, its alternate routes now have their own website: www.avoidtheryan.com.

It looks like the best route into downtown from the south, is to take the Skyway, but make sure to get off in time to catch Lake Shore Drive. Despite the stop lights, it will probably be faster than saying on the freeway, which will still run into the construction mess before reaching downtown.

Personally, I'm sticking to the train on my trips to Chicago, and I will be making use of I-294 to bypass downtown altogether when I'm heading to points east this summer.

Thanks AZ Buck & Michael for the heads up on the nightmare that is city driving in Chicago. I think we got a bit freaked out (to say the least) reading posts about Chicago elsewhere - that & knowing that going south of the loop is generally discouraged.

So, this brings me to my next thought: I am definitely not against taking the train into town - one of our options was to stay out at a KOA campground near the Harvard train line & take the train in each day. The problem with that is we were hoping to take in some shows & the late night gigs make getting back to our campsite a little crazy to say the least.

Is there a good place to park a car for 2-3 days with foreign plates & still have peace of mind? We are going to have all of our gear in the car because it seems silly to drag tents/stoves/etc. into where we will be staying.

Alternatively, is there a good suburb with decent public transportation links that would allow us to take in some late night shows, but still feel safe travelling back to the motel/hotel/campsite?

Thanks for your help :)

I imagine you've already looked, but check out Metra's website to find out if the train schedules will work for you. The last trains generally run after midnight, so that might still be an option. I've used it for a few night ballgames without any problems.

If you are considering camping, there are also Illinois Beach and Chain O Lakes state parks that are both north of the city and near Metra stops.

Otherwise for parking, I don't have a lot of ideas, other than lots around the airports. You could park there and then use the EL to get around the city, but I don't know if that is really a better option than the $18 parking downtown.