You can still go that route when leaving from Montreal, we do it! Go down I87 from Lacolle, then 287-78-81-77-26-95 and voilà! Only one toll if I remember correctly and usually less traffic than I95 all the way downI'd go back as well and take I81/77/26/95 down. If you pick up the 95 that far north, you will hit major cities. The time it takes you to go back to the 1000 islands bridge will easily be made up by the traffic you'll avoid.
I'd go back as well and take I81/77/26/95 down. If you pick up the 95 that far north, you will hit major cities. The time it takes you to go back to the 1000 islands bridge will easily be made up by the traffic you'll avoid.