Will be driving from Vancouver to SEA-TAC the Tuesday after Labor Day. Was thinking of crossing the border at Abbotsford and following Hwy 9 down to about Everett before getting back on I5. We realize this will add some time to our trip, but we thought it might also cut back on border crossing wait. Is Hwy 9 a pretty route down - any interesting places to stop, or anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!

Highway 9 is a pretty drive. You might also consider taking Chuckanut Drive out of Bellingham if you haven't already done that. You connect with the I5 around Mount Vernon.

Highway 9 is a pleasant drive through rural Washington from Sumas to Bryant. South of Bryant is quite built up--suburban with strip malls, stop lights, etc.

Snohomish is an interesting little town on Highway 9, known for antique shops. To get to Snohomish, I would go around Arlington, Marysville, and Lake Stevens on I-5.

If you decide to drive Chuckanut Drive out of Bellingham, you could also visit the town of LaConner and, if you wish, continue on to Whidbey Island for Deception Pass and the charming towns of Coupeville and Langley. If you go to Langley, you would return to the mainland from Clinton by ferry.

HTTY

Definitely look at the average wait times on the WSDOT website to see if you actually will save time on the wait. Maybe you've already looked and it IS usually shorter, but when I went through that crossing on a Sunday last September, the line to get back into the US was insane. It was just a two lane highway, if I'm remembering right, so cars were backed up forever.

You should also look at the Aldergrove/Lynden crossing which isn't as far east as Abbotsford and usually has shorter wait times than the main Peace Arch crossings (car and truck).

However, this summer it seems like wait times are down compared to last year--not sure if it's due to the new passport requirements or the economy or what, but I've been keep keeping an eye on them online and you rarely see the 2-3 hour waits at the Peace Arch that were fairly common last summer.

Thanks for the heads up on the Chuckanut Drive - had not heard of it. Maybe we will try going through the main arch and then take that drive.

If you decide to drive Chuckanut Drive, get off I-5 at Fairhaven--the colorful, old part of town, south of Bellingham. Signs will lead you to the drive, which is scenic for a stretch of about ten miles between Chuckanut Village and Blanchard. If you take a right on Bow Hill Road you will soon find yourself in Edison--a cute little town that has been attracting attention lately: http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/vorac...d_and_edis.php