pbm317

Hey All,

My friend is coming into Seattle to visit, and we plan on driving up to Seattle for the weekend, leaving on a Friday night, coming back maybe Sunday morning. What's the fastest route there and back? I heard that the border gets really backed up. Someone at work suggested the Lynden crossing?

Anyways, I'd love to have your input/directions!

Thanks in advance!

BTW, I love seeing so many S2000's around the area, I wish I still had mine.

mikegarrison

It all depends. Sometimes the Blaine crossing is best. Sometimes the "truck crossing" is best. Sometimes it is worthwhile going out to Lynden, but Vancouver is west of Blaine, so Lynden really tends to be out of your way. It also depends on where in Vancouver you are trying to get to.

Mostly it comes down to avoiding the worst times of day.

Good luck.

Markus01

agree with Mike regarding time of day.

I make the run every 3rd weekend or so. Avoid Sunday afternoons coming down.

I've never found Peach Arch to be faster then the Pacific Hwy truck crossing.

Here's a couple of websites for you to check out:
Canadian border wait times.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

US border wait times:
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

The Cdn site has a WAP enabled page, since by the time you get to the border from Seattle, the data you had is out of date. I usually check on my blackberry as I get close, certain cell phones should be able to get to this site also:

wap.gc.ca or www.gc.ca

Also there has been contruction near the border from the turnoff on 99 to the truck crossing. I put my roof up to avoid dust.

kpxguy411

I-5??

mikegarrison

Did they close Lynden/Aldergrove? Both sites show Sumas, but not Lynden.

JAMESDEAN65

Noone said fly?????

Markus01

The 99 I'm refering to is on the Canada side, runs between the border and past Whistler.

I don't think they closed the Lynden border. Check out:
http://www.borderlineups.com/

Probably they just don't keep wait times. It's not really worth driving to these crossing from my experience. The extra driving time negates the wait time. The road from Sumas to the I-5 is fun though.

mikegarrison

If you are going to Abbotsford or points north/east, then Sumas is the way to go. But not for Vancouver. Unless you just want a long drive through farmland, of course. Mooooooo!

WyattH

I usually just do the main crossing, but there is also another border pass about 5 miles east of that (I don't know what it's called). But like the others said, just aim for an obscure time of day...