A shift in cross-border trucking sees the Blue Water Bridge overtake Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge, driven by lower tolls and more efficient routing.
The Blue Water Bridge has overtaken the Ambassador Bridge as the busiest commercial crossing between Canada and the United States.
New data shows more than 2.13 million trucks used the Sarnia crossing in 2025, roughly 274,000 more than Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge. The trend has continued into 2026, with Sarnia maintaining a lead in early-year traffic.
Cost appears to be the driving factor. Commercial tolls at the Blue Water Bridge sit at about $7 per axle, compared to as much as $27 per axle at the privately owned Ambassador Bridge. Even discounted rates with passes remain significantly higher in Windsor.
Industry analysts say trucking companies are making calculated decisions, choosing lower tolls even if it means travelling farther. The Blue Water Bridge also benefits from more direct highway access, avoiding the stop-and-go congestion along Windsor’s Huron Church Road.
Further competition is expected with the upcoming opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, where tolls will fall between the two existing crossings and feature a direct highway-to-highway connection.
While Windsor crossings still lead in passenger traffic, Sarnia has firmly taken the top spot for commercial trucking, marking a significant realignment in Canada–U.S. trade flow.