Giant signs. Multiple warnings. Lane arrows. Last-chance reminders. Border patrol energy from a mile away. And yet… everyone knows someone who has taken it by accident.

Your aunt. Your college roommate. A friend of a friend who “was just trying to stay left.” Suddenly you’re inching toward an international border with no passport, no plan, and a growing sense of doom.

You swear you didn’t mean to. The car knows you didn’t mean to. The signs absolutely warned you. But now you’re committed, rehearsing your explanation while Googling “what happens if you accidentally enter Canada.”

It’s a Michigan rite of passage. You don’t live here long enough without either doing it yourself—or knowing someone who has a story that starts with:

“So I accidentally crossed into Canada once…”

And somehow, despite all the signage, it keeps happening. I’ve done it myself. More than once. Along with most everyone I know. It is south of Detroit…

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Here are some responses from other Michiganders when asked –

I knew someone that did it, went through customs, explained the mistake, came back. Then followed the GPS to do the exact same thing again. Border control was not as nice the second time.

I crossed, my phone didn’t get coverage, and it’s much harder to cross back!

 Took kids on prom night, we were trying to get to Wendy’s.

 I think we all did it once.

 Years ago I was heading somewhere different but ended up going towards Canada I kept seeing signs last minute I caught a exit and got off that route.

When it was under construction I went over. The agent before the border said that there was a turn around right before the bridge, however by the time you see it, it’s already too late.

Years ago, John Steinbeck wrote of such an episode in “Travels with Charley.” Canada Customs told him he could bring Charley (a dog) into Canada but he didn’t have the papers to get the dog back into the States. Back on the Stateside control point, when he told the U.S. he hadn’t been away, an exchange that ran the better part of two pages followed. Resolved when Stateside officer rang up his Canadian counterpart who confirmed the story. Thus Charley hadn’t officially left the States and couldn’t be quarantined as a dangerous animal.

 I have accidentally done it TWICE. Which is hilarious cause how.

One of the main reasons i got an enhanced license is if i accidentally take the bridge to canada somehow

I told the guard “I can’t go to Canada, I have school tomorrow!” She let me turn around!

Should build a new bridge called bridge of shame as a turn around for people who accidentally do it…nothing better then telling someone you went to the border and have to use the bridge of shame to get home.

I’ve done that on a snowmobile. Didn’t realize we were in Canada until we stopped to fuel up and gas prices were in litres.

You look at the sign here and you think how can anyone accidentally cross it. But there you are, in Canada, and your phone is no longer working. And you panic.

The only place in the U.S. where you travel south to enter Canada.

I accidentally turned into the entrance to the tunnel and had to explain to the border guards that I’m stupid so please let me turn around.

Did it with a horse trailer in tow lol.

We did this many years ago. I had my niece, mother in law & aunt in the car, going to bingo! Somehow in the wrong lane! Guess I was thinking bingo! No excuses.

I was so terrified. Luckily, we always managed to avoid the Exit of Doom.

This is why I keep my passport in my purse. Just in case!

I went with my mother to get her global entry at border patrol. It is literally under the bridge!!! We couldn’t find it. Yep. Ended up in that lane!!

Guilty. I was messing with my CarPlay and missed my exit. That was a fun conversation with border patrol.

Yep, my dad did this helping his buddy learn to drive.

My husband and I and some friends ended up on that exit… I just sat back and watched the s*it show unfold… told them we are headed to Canada they said no I said yes… all I can say is our friends had a time explaining their reasons for taking that ramp.

Omg that one time we turned in before the concert and they searched my car..

We did it once trying to get to the Ren Hotel. Fortunately we stopped before we got beyond the parking garage or whatever it was and Border Patrol let us turn around by their barrier. They said it happens a lot.. 

My stepson announced he had to go #2 when we were halfway up the exit. My husband had to quickly put the car in reverse. I was positive they were going to come after us!!

We had a parent do it taking a car full of teens to a football game as part of a pep band.

I’ve come close. I couldn’t get left. Had to cut someone off. I mean, they knew too. I had my blinker on.

I’ll admit to being guilty of this one for sure!

I did it back in 2012. I had to wait for 2 hrs for an escort to the border exit. There were 2 other cars. They were out of their cars just socializing. I was inside my car texting and complaining that I did such a stupid thing

I’ve done it- It was a night I will never forget!!

Omg!!!! That was a funny day calling the boys saying we accidentally went over the bridge.

I did it years ago!

My brother and I took it by accident once! We were teenagers

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“if the road is easy, you’re likely going the wrong way.”

-terry good kind