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The wait is finally over. After years of planning, construction, delays, and plenty of anticipation, the Gordie Howe International Bridge officially opened to vehicle traffic on July 27, 2026, creating a new gateway between Michigan and Ontario and giving travelers a brand new way to cross the Detroit River.

It’s a milestone for international travel, trade, and tourism, but it’s also one of Michigan’s newest attractions. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip to Windsor, crossing into Michigan to explore Detroit and beyond, or simply want to experience one of North America’s most impressive engineering projects, this guide will help you make the most of your first trip across the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

More than Just a Border Crossing Between Canada and Michigan

The Gordie Howe International Bridge isn’t just another border crossing. It’s one of the largest infrastructure projects ever completed between the United States and Canada, with a $4.5 billion (USD) price tag. It directly connects Interstate 75 in Detroit and Ontario’s Highway 401 in Windsor.

The First Public Crossing Between Detroit & Windsor

For decades, travelers and commercial traffic relied primarily on the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to cross the international border. Those are both privately owned, and the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a public crossing, owned by the Canadian government’s Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which oversees the crossing and collects tolls under an international agreement with Michigan and the United States.

The Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge in North America

The Gordie Howe International Bridge breaks a record with its length. With a main span stretching 2,799 feet across the Detroit River, it’s now the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. The design eliminates the need for support piers in the river. That means ships can move freely beneath it while creating a striking new addition to Detroit’s skyline.

Who Was Gordie Howe?

You don’t have to be a hockey fan to recognize Gordie Howe’s name in Michigan. Nicknamed “Mr. Hockey,” Howe spent 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and helped lead the team to four Stanley Cup championships. His toughness, skill, and longevity made him one of the greatest players in NHL history and a beloved figure on both sides of the Detroit River.

Naming the bridge after Howe was especially fitting because his legacy belongs to both countries. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, he became a sports icon in Detroit, where generations of fans embraced him as one of their own. Like the bridge itself, Gordie Howe represents the close connection between Michigan and Canada.

Howe’s family was the first to drive across the bridge, with his grandson, also named Gordie, saying, “He was such a people person, and I hope that they (travelers) just feel that sense of something grounded, something very humanistic.”

Tips for Driving the Gordie Howe International Bridge

Driving the Gordie Howe International Bridge is an adventure, but it also means crossing an international border. Before you leave, take a few minutes to review the latest entry requirements from the country you’re visiting.

Review Current Entry Requirements

Canada to Michigan: Check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for current entry requirements, prohibited items, and travel documents.
Michigan to Canada: Check with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for Canada’s latest entry rules and customs regulations.

Bring Your Passport or Travel Documents

No matter which direction you’re traveling, have your passport or other approved travel documents ready. Once you cross the Detroit River, you’ll go through inspection and the toll booths. Follow the overhead signs for lane designations.

Also, it’s worth noting that you cannot stop on the bridge to take photos. The speed limit on the 1.5-mile bridge is 35 miles per hour.

Costs for Crossing the Bridge between Windsor and Detroit

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a toll bridge, with rates based on your vehicle type. For most drivers in a passenger vehicle, the standard one-way toll starts around $5.75 USD ($8 CAD). Drivers can pay with cash, credit or debit cards, or a digital wallet at the toll plaza. Check the toll costs online before your trip as exchange rates can change.

If you plan to cross the bridge regularly, it’s worth looking into Breakaway, the bridge’s electronic toll program. The free program includes a windshield tag that automatically pays your toll and lowers the passenger vehicle rate by 25%, bringing the cost down to $4.35 USD ($6 CAD) per crossing.

Walk or Bike the Gordie Howe International Bridge

Starting August 5, 2026, pedestrians and cyclists can cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge using its free multi-use path. Access is available from West Jefferson Avenue in Detroit and Sandwich Street in Windsor, though there is no on-site parking.

Plan for a 20- to 60-minute crossing, depending on your pace, and bring water since there are no benches or rest areas along the route. Because you’ll be crossing an international border, you’ll also need valid travel documents and will pass through a border processing building at the end of the path.

Don’t Miss the Gordie Howe International Bridge at Night

If your schedule allows, try to see the Gordie Howe International Bridge after sunset. During the day, it’s an engineering marvel. At night, it becomes part of the skyline.

More than 6,000 programmable LED lights highlight the bridge’s soaring towers, cables, and deck, giving it a clean, modern glow that’s visible from both Detroit and Windsor. The lighting isn’t flashy for the sake of being flashy. It’s designed to showcase the bridge’s architecture while limiting light pollution and reducing impacts on migratory birds.

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects more than two countries. It is also a symbol of an enduring friendship and shared environment for Windsor-Detroit, Ontario-Michigan and Canada-US. The Aesthetic Bridge Lighting commission will pay homage to the special relationship that exists at the Windsor-Detroit gateway.”
— Charl van Niekerk, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)

Whether you’re driving across it or admiring it from the riverfront, the bridge takes on a completely different look after dark.