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==Hitching Out==
===Going South, [[New York]], through highway [[Quebec highways|A-15]]===
You can walk North from the metro station '''Longueuil''' and find the bridge crossing the highway to join the [[Quebec highways|A-15]] in direction of the [[New York state|New-York State]]/[[United States|USA]]. It's probably not 100% legal to stand on the good spot there, but you will probably quickly get a ride. Be careful at the [[New York state|New-York State]] border.
A legal alternative is to catch the southbound A-15 traffic coming off the Pont Champlain (bridge). Theoretically, you can take Bus #14 from the Longueuil bus station to the Brossard area. Tell the driver you want to get off at Boulevard Marie-Victorin. For a reference point, look up the intersection of Place Turenne and Boulevard Marie-Victorin.  Because of the speed of traffic, you will want to hold a large, visible sign. Some suggestions: "NEW YORK" or "PLATTSBURGH, N.Y." On the U.S. side, A-15 becomes Interstate-87 or "The Northway" as it is known in northern New York State. South of Albany, I-87 is known as "The Thruway". ===Crossing the Border=== Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are one. Armed with this attitude try and maintain your dignity and self-confidence throughout the encounter and the guard will more likely respect you (even if he or she doesn't show it). Trust me, things will go more smoothly. If you're passing the border inside a car, don't volunteer the fact that you are a hitchhiker. But if it becomes obvious, don't try and deny it, either. Remember, there's no shame in hitching. == Border Crossing Passports for U.S. and Canadian citizens== U.S. and Canadian citizens are NOT required to show a passport. At least not yet. That doesn't mean a border guard won't ask to see one, though. But, a border guard is not supposed to deny you just because you don't have a passport. Until 2008, border guards are supposed to accept "oral declarations of citizenship" which basically means, "you have to believe me because I told you so." If you are a U.S. citizen going into Canada or a Canadian going into the U.S., they have the right to deny you entry for a number of reasons (usually because of a criminal record or you don't look like you have enough money for lunch at a fast-food restaurant). But don't think that just 'cause you don't own a passport you can't cross. You can. ==Champlain-Lacolle== A note about the main crossing at A-15 known as "Champlain-Lacolle". It's technically illegal to hitch south from the main crossing as it is an Interstate highway on which pedestrians (including, er, especially hitchhikers) are forbidden. So unless you get a through ride across the border, there are some alternative border crossings to consider other than the main Champlain-Lacolle crossing on A-15 (I-87 on the U.S. side). ==Alternative Border Crossings== Overton Corners (US), 6 km south of the village of Lacolle, is a small crossing mostly used by locals and by those in the know. It connects the Quebec route 221 with NY-276 and is about 2 miles east of the main Champlain-Lacolle border crossing that connects A-15 and I-87. Obviously, it's only useful if you can get a lift near there, but is sometimes worth saving the hassle as border guards from both countries are generally more laid-back here.  Other alternatives include Rouses Point, N.Y. and a crossing that links Hemmingford, Quebec and Mooers, N.Y. Both are a bit off the beaten path, but you can get a lift on US-11 back to I-87 pretty easily and you're well on your way. All of these places can easily be found on a map.
=== Going South-East, toward [[Burlington]], [[Vermont]] along [[Quebec highways|provincial 133]] and [[Sherbrooke]] through highway [[Quebec highways|A-10]] ===
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