Corridor brief,
Quiet border to start the week as the January tariff deadline nears
No truck delays at any Detroit–Windsor or Port Huron–Sarnia crossing heading into Monday, Michigan diesel runs about 35 cents a gallon cheaper than Windsor, and the jump to 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian autos and steel is about 10 weeks away.
At the border
Trucks crossed freely heading into the week. On Sunday evening, every commercial lane we track showed no delay in either direction at the Ambassador Bridge, the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the Blue Water Bridge. U.S. Customs had five standard truck lanes open at the Ambassador, three at Gordie Howe and three at Blue Water, where a FAST lane was also open. The Detroit–Windsor Tunnel’s U.S.-bound truck lane was closed, as it usually is.
Monday mornings tend to bring the week’s first build-up as plant deliveries resume. Check the live wait times before dispatching.
Diesel
Diesel is cheaper on the Michigan side. The Midwest average was $6.26 a gallon for the week of Oct. 12, slightly above the U.S. average of $6.18. Windsor’s latest posted price, from the week of Oct. 5, was 247.2 cents a litre, or about $6.61 a U.S. gallon at the Bank of Canada rate of C$1.4154 per U.S. dollar.
That puts Michigan about 35 cents a gallon ahead. Ontario’s survey is a week older than the U.S. figure, so treat the gap as approximate until both update. Under IFTA, fuel tax is settled by miles driven in each jurisdiction, so the real saving for carriers is mostly the pre-tax difference. The diesel page tracks the trend.
What we’re watching
- January 1 tariff step-up. The U.S. has said tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts and steel will rise from 25% to 50% on Jan. 1, 2027. A separate 50% tariff has applied to about $20 billion of Canadian goods since Aug. 22, and Canada’s matching tariffs on about $27.6 billion of U.S. goods began Sept. 8. With roughly 10 weeks left, watch for shippers pulling auto-parts and steel shipments forward into November and December. That could push border volumes and waits up before the holidays.
- USMCA on a yearly clock. At the July 1 joint review, the U.S. declined to extend the agreement, which moves the three countries into annual reviews. USMCA stays in force until July 1, 2036, but each review is now a chance for new demands. That matters for any carrier or broker relying on USMCA-qualifying freight.
- Two bridges competing for trucks. Since Gordie Howe opened on July 27, carriers have had a choice of river crossings. A semi pays roughly $35 at Gordie Howe versus about $75 at the Ambassador, according to figures reported in August.
Sources
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency wait-time data; U.S. Energy Information Administration; Ontario Ministry of Energy fuel price survey; Bank of Canada. Tariff details: ABC News. USMCA review: IISD. Bridge tolls: WDET.