Question for Washington & BC Residents

[patgund]

While Peace Arch is lovely, it's also a PITA to get though.

So, which is your favourite border crossing?? And which is the fastest?? (Obviously I'm not counting the Delta / Point Roberts crossing - what are you going to do once you're there? Turn around and cross again??)

BC-99/ I-5, Surrey / Blaine (Peace Arch)
BC-15 / WA-543, Surry / Blaine (Truck crossing)
BC-13 / WA-539, Aldergrove / Lynden
BC-11 / WA-9, Abbotsford / Sumas

I will admit wanting to road trip US -395 sometime, which would bring me to the the Cascade / Laurier crossing, but that's not practical.

Also, is NEXUS worth the $50?

Comments

[spiffikins]

I worked one summer at Canada Customs on the Peace Arch and Truck Crossings - if you are coming across and want to get into Vancouver, the Truck crossing is generally best - it's all locals who know to avoid the Peace Arch.

Peace Arch is more fun to work, because you get more people who've never been to Canada, because it's the easiest crossing to find when you drive I-5 up north.

I lived in Abbotsford, so I generally used the Sumas crossing and it is generally pretty darned empty - but you end up about 45 minutes east of Vancouver, so it depends on where in the Lower Mainland you're trying to go.

Lynden is very, very small, so a small number of vehicles can generate a long line. It also, at least when I was last there, closes around 11pm at night.

I'm not familiar with NEXUS, but if it's the successor to the "fast pass" program, giving you a decal on your car and the ability to use the special fast lane at the Peace Arch crossing, it can be useful if you are crossing often.

[mareklamo.livejournal.com]

We usually take the Blaine truck crossing (Pacific Hiway/WA-543). On the Canadian side, Hiway 99 has signs displaying current estimated wait times at the Peace Arch and the truck crossing, so you can pick the less congested site. No corresponding signs on the US side.

These websites are also useful for looking up wait times:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/border/

[mareklamo.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, weekdays after 2pm, avoid Hiway 99 northbound before the Massey tunnel. They reduce the number of lanes going north, and the tunnel is a major chokepoint.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I, er, haven't made a crossing to BC on the mainland since I was a kid, in spite of living just south of Seattle.

I've been to Victoria several times since I moved here fourteen years ago...

[seattlejo.livejournal.com]

Sumas is the one i've done in the past, and never had an issue with waiting there. only coming back , goving over we've always done

[beki.livejournal.com]

My dad lives in Langely, so we always used the truck crossing. The wait is generally shorter.

As far as the pass goes, IMO it's only worth it if you plan on going often. I hear there is a thing coming out (It may already have) that if you pay something like 40 or 50 for your license, it gets some sort of chip in it that will allow you easier access to and from.

[mistresshuette.livejournal.com]

I like taking the ferry from Seattle to Victoria and then the ferry from Victoria to Vancouver. It is probably slower than driving, but it is oh so scenic and during the right months you also get to see a lot of whales and sea life.