Crossing The Canada-US Border

Helpful Information for Crossing the Canada-US Border...

Border Crossings:  The Canada Border Services Agency can give you estimates on Canada-bound wait times, and U.S. Customs & Border Protection can give you estimates on US-bound wait times.  While driving, you can tune into AM730 for border traffic updates.  www.borderlineups.com provides more information from the Canadian side of the border,as well as webcams from the Canadian side. If you're traveling from Seattle to Vernon, you'll want to bypass Vancouver traffic and take the Abbotsford/Sumas crossing, but if you'd like to visit Vancouver, you'll probably want to take the Peace Arch/Blaine crossing.

ID Requirements:  As of June 1, 2009 all US citizens are required to have a passport or other government approved documents in order to cross the border into Canada and return to the US either by land, sea, or air. Please take a look at the following information issued by the US State Department.

Rental Vehicles: You may need to have specific documentation from your rental company that allows you to cross the border.  Check with your rental company for details.

Travel Insurance:  "No Canadian health care provider accepts U.S. domestic health insurance, and Medicare coverage does not extend outside the United States. Visitors who seek any medical attention in Canada should be prepared to pay in cash in full at the time the service is rendered. Traveler’s medical insurance is highly recommended even for brief visits." (travel.state.gov) Unless your health care coverage includes international travel, visit AAA for reasonable rates.