Windsor–Detroit border wait forecast
Typical waits by hour for the next seven days at all three crossings, in both directions. Every figure is the median official wait we recorded for that weekday and hour, from our own snapshots taken every five minutes since September 20, 2026. It shows what a normal day usually looks like, so check the live wait times before you leave.
Thanksgiving weekend at the border (Oct 9–12) →
Little or no delayUp to 20 min21–45 minOver 45 minNo data yet
Today, Tuesday, October 6
Typical Tuesday, based on 2 past Tuesdays of 5-minute snapshots.
- Home game: Red Wings vs. Ottawa, 7:00 PM at Little Caesars Arena. Expect heavier traffic before and after, especially at the Tunnel. Game-day tips
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 8 AM (about 10 min); quietest 12–2 PM (no delay). |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 8 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 6 PM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7
Typical Wednesday, based on 2 past Wednesdays of 5-minute snapshots.
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 7 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Usually little or no delay all day. |
Thursday, October 8
Typical Thursday, based on 2 past Thursdays of 5-minute snapshots.
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 7 AM (about 10 min); quietest 8–10 PM (no delay). |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 6 PM (about 20 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Usually little or no delay all day. |
Show the rest of the week
Friday, October 9
Typical Friday, based on 2 past Fridays of 5-minute snapshots.
- Home game: Red Wings vs. Seattle, 7:00 PM at Little Caesars Arena. Expect heavier traffic before and after, especially at the Tunnel. Game-day tips
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Ambassador | Busiest around 3 PM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 7 PM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (3 min). |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 5 PM (about 20 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Busiest around 1 PM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 8 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
Saturday, October 10
Typical Saturday, based on 2 past Saturdays of 5-minute snapshots.
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 10 AM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Busiest around 12 PM (about 20 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 1 AM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (3 min). |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 12 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Busiest around 12 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 5 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
Sunday, October 11
Typical Sunday, based on 3 past Sundays of 5-minute snapshots.
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 1 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Busiest around 12 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 12 AM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 3 PM (about 15 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Busiest around 12 AM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
Monday, October 12
Typical Monday, based on 3 past Mondays of 5-minute snapshots.
- Canadian Thanksgiving. Holidays break the usual pattern, so treat the typical figures below with caution.
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Crossing | 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | Busiest around 11 AM (about 10 min); quietest 6–8 AM (no delay). |
| Ambassador | Usually little or no delay all day. |
| Tunnel | Usually little or no delay all day. |
How this forecast works
Every five minutes we record the published passenger-lane wait for each crossing and direction from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency. For each weekday and hour we take the median of those snapshots over the last eight weeks, so one bad backup does not distort the whole hour. Canada-bound figures inherit CBSA’s reporting lag. The best time to cross page shows the same data as weekday-versus-weekend tables.
Forecast FAQ
How accurate is this border wait forecast?
Each figure is the median official wait we recorded for that crossing, direction, weekday and hour. It shows what a typical day looks like, not what will happen. We started recording on September 20, 2026, so each weekday is based on a few weeks at most and the figures get steadier every week.
Why is the live wait different from the forecast?
Crashes, lane closures, staffing, holidays and big events all move the real wait away from the typical one. Always check the live wait times before you leave.
Does the forecast include holidays and Detroit games?
Holidays and Lions, Red Wings and Pistons home games are flagged on the day they happen, but the typical figures do not adjust for them yet. Expect heavier traffic than shown on those days.
What is the best time to cross the Windsor-Detroit border?
On most weekdays mid-morning and late evening are quietest, and early weekday mornings to Detroit and late afternoons back to Windsor are busiest. The rows above show the pattern for each of the next seven days.