Driving from Seattle to Vancouver, BC - best route and border crossing

Where in "Vancouver" are you going?

Really need to know 'where' to advise how best to get 'there'

Hwy 9 might be a bit more scenic, but will be much slower

The simplest for any destination in Vancouver itself will be to drive the I-5 to the Blaine border crossing and then remain on Hwy 99. Hwy 99 goes over the Oak Street bridge which brings you to the south section of the city. Another 15 minutes gets you downtown. Having done this route for decades, it is the simplest and there isn’t enough scenery on either route to make that part of the decision.

One note to be aware of, depending on time of day when you cross the border, you will a short time later reach a tunnel (George Massey/Deas Island Tunnel…both names are used) and it can be a bit backed up.

Enjoy your visit.

State Hwy 9 is a 2 lane highway which takes forever; we usually take it north from Sedro Wooley to go to Mt. Baker. You can keep on going and cross the Border at Sumas, but you are nowhere near Vancouver if that is your goal. We usually take I-5 until we get just at BellisFair and take the Guide Meridian or 539, take right on Bakerview and drive north on Hannegan Rd to Lynden. Stop for Lunch in cute Downtown and some sweet cafes. follow signs to Border crossing north on Guide Meridian. Follow Canadia Hwy 13 to 1A or Fraser Hwy to 99A and enter Vancouver in New Westminster. May not be the shortest way, but is more countryside views and Mt. Baker views and less stressful. Sometimes Blaine is easy, sometimes there are backups. There are 2 crossings, one is for trucks. There are electric signs along I-5 that will give you crossing times. Again when you cross you are nowhere near downtown Vacounver with a lot of Truck Traffic, but if you are going to Richmond, this is the best way to go.

Interstate 5 to Blaine.

Agree with Carol. Nothing to really to see on State 9 for a tourist.

Blaine can be busy as to time of day and day of week. But still probably quicker than the other crossings. Also, not knowing when your trip is, the FIFA games are in Seattle and Vancouver starting in mid June until mid July.

Look up the regulations for entering Canada and returning to the US. Have your passports and be prepared. And on the other hand the US$ to Can$ exchange is very favorable now.

We love BC and lived just north of White Rock for 2 years. Have a great trip!

If you are renting a car it may be prudent to advise the rental car agency of your plans to drive to Canada.

The "truck crossing" is not only for trucks, so if the sign mentioned above says the Peace Arch has a long wait, then use the truck crossing, which is called Pacific Highway. Follow the signs.
The drive on I-5 is surprisingly scenic between Mount Vernon and Bellingham. If you want to take a truly scenic drive, get off at Chuckanut Drive and follow that into Bellingham.
As mentioned, where you are going in "Vancouver" makes a difference as to whether you want to cross at Blaine, Lynden or Sumas. Mostly, it's a choice between Peace Arch or Pacific Highway.

As Trotter noted, be sure to inform the rental co. that you are going to BC and sign up for the LDW..

Insurance law in BC make it impossible to recover from the at fault party. ( e,g, you can be stopped at a light and get hit and you CANNOT recover from the party that hit you)