Crossing Border to the U.S. from Vancouver, BC

[c3847 0]

So, we are planning a short trip to the U.S. in the near future.

I personally really do not like going through U.S. Immigration & Customs. I am a Canadian citizen with nothing to hide and still, they kind of scare me even though I have never had any problems going in and out (from other places on the east coast for many years, like Toronto to Buffalo - had a friend there so I went there several times). I find the interrogation-like way that they ask questions intimating and just uncomfortable.

So, I would like to ask the wise folks here - There are four border crossing points from Vancouver to the U.S. by land.

- 99 & I-5, which is the busiest and most major one.

- Truck Route which allows normal non commercial traffic as well

- Aldergrove, which is smaller than the other two, I think

- Sumas, which is too far from me to be practical

Wait time is not really a big deal as we plan to cross it when the traffic is not heavy.

If you could please share which border crossing out of the ones above, and your personal experience on which one is the most friendly one, I would appreciate it!

BTW, we went to the old Costco location near Burnaby in Vancouver and apparently it has become Walmart for almost two years... No wonder we couldn't find it. @@

[Brandy&Albert 0]

I cross at Aldergrove all the time and I've never had any problems other than the occasional PMS-ing female border guard but it's super fast, they don't give you any ####### about anything, my grandparents live in Abbotsford BC and cross there all the time and they've never had trouble either. It's a bit of a jaunt down to the freeway (I-5) - about 25 min, but it's worth it.

[Krikit 1,164]

I take the truck route and never had a problem. If you get something at the duty free you can jump ahead if it's busy going back. You should look into getting a NEXUS pass.

[kaya541 1]

We cross at Sumas nearly every weekend, but like you said it's not worth the drive to go that far. Never had any problems at Aldergrove but have only crossed there maybe 4 times. My hubby has come down thru Peach Arch a few times (me only once) and he's never complained about them there. I think he's given the hardest time at the Sumas crossing than the other ones, there are some real grumps working that one. We just smile and be pleasant!

[Lorus 0]

I've been crossing the border at the Pacific Truck Crossing a few times a month for years. The lines have slowly gotten longer so I applied for Nexus last year. Nexus waits tend to be about 5-10 minutes depending on the time of day. Regular traffic is usually around 30-40 minutes but it also depends on the time of day. I've never been hassled and only been randomly selected and sent in to secondary 3 times in about 8 years.

Without Nexus you could be asked:

Where are you headed, why, and for how long.

How does everyone in the vehicle know each other.

Anything to declare.

Who is the vehicle registered to.

Be specific but don't ramble on.

[maggieb 4]

Actually there are 5 POE's into the State of Washington. You forgot the Osoyoos, BC..

[naviomelo 0]

Actually there are 5 POE's into the State of Washington. You forgot the Osoyoos, BC..

Actually, there are far more than 5.

In east-to-west order, the highway crossings are:

SR-31/BC-6, Pend Oreille County (near Metaline Falls, WA)-Kelway, B.C.

SR-25/BC-22, Stevens County (near Northport, WA)-near Rossland, B.C.

US-395/BC-395, Laurier, WA-Cascade, B.C.

SR-21/BC-41, Danville, WA-Grand Forks, B.C.

US-97/BC-97, Oroville, WA-Osoyoos, B.C.

SR-9/BC-11, Sumas, WA-Abbotsford, B.C.

SR-539/BC-13, Lynden, WA-Aldergrove, B.C.

SR-543/BC-15, Blaine, WA-Surrey, B.C.

I-5/BC-99, Blaine, WA-Surrey, B.C.

There are also a handful of crossings that are not highway crossings, including at least one each in Stevens, Ferry, and Okanogan counties, as well as the popular Point Roberts crossing in Whatcom county.

I'm sure the OP was only interested in the four that they mentioned as they are all very close to one another. Of those, I have used the SR-543 crossing many times, and have found it to be courteous.

[Yellowhead 12]

So, we are planning a short trip to the U.S. in the near future.

I personally really do not like going through U.S. Immigration & Customs. I am a Canadian citizen with nothing to hide and still, they kind of scare me even though I have never had any problems going in and out (from other places on the east coast for many years, like Toronto to Buffalo - had a friend there so I went there several times). I find the interrogation-like way that they ask questions intimating and just uncomfortable.

So, I would like to ask the wise folks here - There are four border crossing points from Vancouver to the U.S. by land.

- 99 & I-5, which is the busiest and most major one.

- Truck Route which allows normal non commercial traffic as well

- Aldergrove, which is smaller than the other two, I think

- Sumas, which is too far from me to be practical

Wait time is not really a big deal as we plan to cross it when the traffic is not heavy.

If you could please share which border crossing out of the ones above, and your personal experience on which one is the most friendly one, I would appreciate it!

BTW, we went to the old Costco location near Burnaby in Vancouver and apparently it has become Walmart for almost two years... No wonder we couldn't find it. @@

I cross at Blaine WA (I-5) and I have NEVER had an issue going through there. They usually ask me about 5 questions tops. I have not entered on my visa yet, so this process may be different. I realize this is an old thread, but just a heads up for anyone who comes across it