Rue Canusa, or Canusa Street as it’s known in English, is both a modern oddity and an homage to simpler, more unified times along the US-Canada border. Named for the two countries it separates, it’s one of the only places in the world where you can drive down the street and each side of the road is in a different country. Head eastbound and you’re driving on US soil. Turn around and head back west, and you’ll be in Canada. And in the times of COVID-19, that division could not be any more stark.
Where is Rue Canusa?
Rue Canusa sits in a beautiful, rolling, and rural part of the Green Mountains separating Stanstead, Québec from Beebe Plain, Vermont. As the crow flies, it’s equidistant from both Montréal and Burlington; however, the nearest city is Sherbrooke, Québec, about 45 km (28 mi) to the northeast.
Why You Should Drive Rue Canusa
Despite Rue Canusa’s short length – about half a kilometer – it’s loaded with history. Despite increasingly tightened security on both sides of the border over the past 30 years, it will give you glimpse into the past when life along the border was much simpler and much more unified.
In addition, Rue Canusa is one of the only places in the world where you can drive down the street, turn around, and come back down the same street in the opposite direction and be in a different country. In fact, it may be the only place in the world you can do that, but I haven’t been able to verify that for certain.
Prior to the September 11th terror attacks, communities along this part of the US-Canada border largely functioned as a single community. Crossing the border was simple and painless, more often resembling the process of crossing state or provincial boundaries than the international border crossings you know today.
Modern Times Means Tighter Border Security
Both the United States and Canada really began cracking down on border security in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks. All of these small bi-national communities on the border were split in half overnight. People stopped crossing the border for simple errands, and many facilities that were built on the border to cater to patrons from both countries closed. The only venue that remains open today is the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, though it, too, has been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, all that remains of those simpler times are gates and barriers across streets that once united the communities on each side of the border. All cross-border traffic is redirected to official ports of entry. While you hate to lose the unification of border communities, the benefits of tighter border security far outweigh the convenience of being able to walk into another country completely unaware that you’re crossing the border.
An Interesting Historical Legend
One of the more fascinating aspects of the history of Rue Canusa is its historical legend. The legend claims that when Stanstead and Beebe Plain were being settled back in the 1700s, a group of surveyors had too much to drink when they were working to determine where the international border was. Some people claim that these drunk surveyors were behind Rue Canusa. Others say it was just a mistake. Either way, both Stanstead and Beebe Plain continue to try and function as a single community despite the ever-evolving international border.
How Do You Get to Rue Canusa?
You can easily access Rue Canusa from either the United States or Canada. However, it is much easier from a logistical standpoint if you access it from Canada because you do not need to check in with customs prior to entering Rue Canusa. We’ll circle back to this very shortly.
Rue Canusa itself is very short, only about half a kilometer (1/3 mile). However, both countries have ports of entry at the west end of Rue Canusa. About 2 km to the east, you’ll find a much larger port of entry at the northern terminus of Interstate 91 and the southern terminus of Autoroute 55.
Access From Canada
From Canada, head south from Magog, Québec on either Autoroute 55 or Highway 247. If you have time, I recommend using Highway 247, a scenic, laid back drive that runs through rolling hills, forests, and quaint farmland along the shores of Lake Mamphrémagog. On the other hand, Autoroute 55 is a major freeway. Even better, Highway 247 becomes Rue Canusa when you reach the border.
On Highway 247, you’ll know you’re close when you start seeing signs for “Douanes”, which means “customs” in French. When you reach the border, follow the large orange barricade as the road bends 90 degrees to the left. Pass between the American and Canadian customs halls and onto Rue Canusa.
Access From the United States
From the United States, follow Interstate 91 North to its northern terminus at the border. Take the first left after clearing Canadian customs onto Québec 247. Follow Highway 247 for about 2 kilometers, which will bring you to the eastern end of Rue Canusa. After completing your journey down Rue Canusa, turn left to return to the United States, or turn right to continue north into Canada.
How Customs Works
It’s no surprise that Rue Canusa’s unique design causes confusion among visitors and non-residents. Thankfully, it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Both countries have special rules for residents of Rue Canusa to deal with the border issue, but they do not apply to visitors.
When visiting Rue Canusa, always remember my golden rule: if in doubt, stop at the customs hall and check in. If they don’t need anything from you, they’ll send you on your way. On the other hand, failure to check in at customs will result in thousands of dollars in fines and can even result in jail time. A quick stop at customs can save yourself a ton of headaches.
Because Rue Canusa is a Québec Provincial Highway, the rule is shockingly simple. If you’re coming from Canada and staying in Canada, you do not need to pass through customs. If you’re doing anything else, you will need to clear customs on either or both of your outbound and return trips. The map below should make it clear why.
| Origin | Destination | Canadian Customs | U.S. Customs |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Canada | Yes, at Entry | No |
| United States | United States | Yes, at Entry | Yes, at Exit |
| Canada | United States | No | Yes, at Exit |
| Canada | Canada | No | No |
What to Expect Driving or Walking Rue Canusa
If I dropped you onto Rue Canusa without any context, it would feel just like any other quiet, quaint residential street in the US or Canada. Well-kept homes line both sides of the street. There are even a few businesses on the Québec side of the street near the east end of Rue Canusa.
Furthermore, you would have no idea an international border ran right down the middle of the street. Okay, maybe Canadian flags flying on one side of the street and American flags flying on the other might clue you in. But there are no fences, markers, or other indicators of the border aside from the customs buildings at one end of Rue Canusa and a survey marker at the other.
What Language Do You Speak on Rue Canusa?
If you speak English or French, you’re all set. All federal operations (read: customs) on both sides of the border are fully bilingual. In town, you will find both languages used in many places. However, people will favor English on the Vermont side of the border and French on the Québec side.
What Else is There to do near Rue Canusa?
There are so many other things to do and places to explore on both sides of the border year round. From skiing and snow sports in the winter to swimming and boating in the summer to leaf peeping and maple syrup in the fall, there are activities for everyone.
Activities in Canada
The closest and most popular attraction to Rue Canusa on the Canadian side of the border are Québec’s National Parks. About 25 kilometers to the north, you’ll find Parc National du Mont Orford, which is famous for its breathtaking mountain landscapes and outdoor recreation. And if that’s not enough, there are 4 additional National Parks within a two to three hour drive of Rue Canusa, as well as numerous nature preserves, provincial parks, and lakes.
But what if you’re not the outdoorsy type? Montréal, Sherbrooke, and Québec City are all less than a three-hour drive from Rue Canusa. All three cities are rich in culture, history, and activities both indoors and out. And if you’re willing to travel a little further, Toronto, Ottawa, and the Canadian Maritimes are all easily within reach.
Activities in the United States
While the northeastern United States does not have the National Parks that Québec boasts, all of the northeast states have amazing state parks, forests, and outdoor recreation. You can easily reach both Boston and New York City in a day’s drive. And if you’re craving some of the best seafood in the world, the same goes for downeast Maine. And while you’re there, don’t forget to visit Acadia National Park, either.
Haskell Free Library and Opera House
About a kilometer east of Rue Canusa, you’ll find the Haskell Free Library and Opera House. Intentionally built straddling the international border, the fully bilingual library has served both nations since it opened in 1904. Furthermore, it’s the only performance space in the world where the stage and the audience are in two different countries. There’s actually a running joke that it’s the only library in the United States without books and the only opera house in the United States without a stage. The bookshelves and the opera stage are both on the Canadian side of the building.
You can enter the library from either the US or Canada and move around freely while inside, but once you’re done, the rule is simple: you must return to the country from which you came.
Conclusion
Rue Canusa is one of the most unique streets in the world. Whether you’re driving, walking, biking, or something else, you’ll be able to say you’ve done something very few other people in the world have. But don’t get caught up in the moment. While the US and Canada are very friendly, they both take border security very seriously. Respect the laws, soak in the uniqueness of the moment, and you’re bound to have a safe, fun, and memorable time.
Resources
- Canada Border Services Agency
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Rue Canusa Photos (August, 2019)
- Haskell Free Library Photos (August, 2019)
- Driving Rue Canusa (August, 2019)
- Visiting to the Haskell Free Library (August, 2019)
- Haskell Free Library Website
Top Photo: Driving Rue Canusa
Stanstead, Québec, Canada – August, 2019