Border crossing delays?
 

We're driving from the Mt St Helens area in WA up to Vancouver on a Friday a couple of weeks from now. I realise it''s about 250 miles, so we'll be setting off bright and early and heading up the I5 to the border. How much time should we expect to wait at the border - I'm a bit worried it may be busy on a Friday afternoon (although we can't do anything to change the timing now)? Is there an alternative routing that's better than I5 / 99? Do we have to go through a special lane (we are UK passport holders and will have a US rental car)? Sorry for all the basic questions, it's the first time we've crossed a land border between the US and Canada.

Gordon - I wouldn't worry about alternative routes I5 is the best route. Now that the busiest time is over with kids going back to school it shouldn't be bad at all. Basically on a Friday the traffic would be heavier going south than coming north. It is hard to say but I would expect 30 mins would be the worst at that time. You don't have to go through a special lane either. As long as you have your passports in hand no problem whatsoever. The only thing I would double check on is your rental car company. Be sure its OK to take the car to Canada. Most companies allow it no problem but I would just confirm that. By the way, depending on where you are the drive shouldn't take longer than 4 hours. If you are getting away early you will certainly hit the border at a very good time perhaps no waits at all. Enjoy your visit!!!! (and be sure to come to Victoria)

here's a website that you might find helpful: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html.

agree that it's not likely to take more than about 30 minutes to cross--the waits are rarely bad going into canada, coming back is almost always much worse.

if you're in/close to castle rock, that's 2 hours south of seattle, so i'd plan on 5 hours to get to vancouver. try to be across the border before 2 pm to avoid backups at the massey tunnel on rt. 99 heading towards vancouver--it goes down to 1 lane heading into the city at 3 pm.

I meant 4 hours to get to the border but NWWanderer is certainly right about getting into Vancouver before the rush hour although it will be going the other way you do lose a lane in the tunnel. However, as you said you are going to get an early start so you should not be affected by that. If you have anymore questions just post them!!

Thanks - that's very reassuring to know it's not so bad at the border! Traveller - yes we have already checked about taking the car over the border - I have an email from National confirming that it's no problem at all for "international" visitors like us, we just need to show our rental agreement (and passports of course).

We are indeed going to visit Victoria, after a bit of island hopping with our BC Ferries Sailpass ticket. We're fairly well prepared for our trip now (I got the suitcases down from the loft today ready for packing), but if I think of any more question's I'll be sure to post again.

Gordon - glad to help. We just returned from attending the HM Royal Marines Portsmouth concert here in Victoria - just marvelous!!! (just so you feel at home)

If you find yourself and at least one passenger at the Massey Tunnel during rush hour and there is only one lane going north which it is backed up, use the HOV lane! It is the same off ramp as Highway 17, the last exit before the tunnel. At the top of the ramp you will be at a light in the HOV-center lane (not the left lane where most cars will be waiting to go onto 17). Go across the intersection and stay on the right side. Stay right until you are past the large white hotel on your right. Near the end of the HOV lane, there will be small traffic sticks/cones dividing you from the regular traffic. That's where you will merge and save at least 30 minutes.

What is "HOV" please?

hov is high occupancy vehicle. it's a restricted lane to encourage carpooling or riding public transit. if you have at least 2 people in the car, you can use it.