How Close is Detroit to Canada? (Dec2023)
Detroit's southern boundary is the Canadian border. Downtown Detroit USA and Downtown Windsor CANADA stand face-to-face along opposite sides of the 2000-ft-wide Detroit River with the international border running right down the middle. The two cities share a lot of history. The Detroit/Windsor region is the largest hub of automaker personnel and assets in the world. The auto industry has roots that reach deep into both Michigan and Ontario.
Canada is the United States' largest trading partner. 25% of all physical trade between the two nations is exchanged at Detroit's border crossings. These include a rail tunnel and a motor vehicle tunnel. Both of which carry traffic under the Detroit River. The Ambassador Bridge carries commercial traffic (10,000 big rigs every day) over the river. The Blue Water Bridge in nearby Port Huron, Michigan links that city to Sarnia, Ontario.
A new, state of the art bridge, "The Gordie Howe", is under construction now. Once completed in 2024 it will provide a new link between Detroit and Windsor. Most existing truck traffic will shift to the new bridge as it will have world-class customs and inspection facilities on both sides of the river and direct freeway access to Canada's E.C. Row Expressway and Detroit's I-75, I-94 and I-96 freeways.