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

Posted by mysticamper (central Texas) on 05/02/26 07:12 PM

I have decided to drive with my sister from Seattle to Vancouver, BC instead of taking the train or bus. We will be traveling on a Friday morning. I see that we can go up Interstate 5 or State 9. It looks like US 9 connects with Canadian interstate 1 at Abbotsford and shoots us right into Vancouver.

Is one entry point with customs smoother/quicker to get through than the other? How does traffic compare on the two routes? Scenery?

If we take Interstate 5 and then Canadian 99 from Blaine do we then stay on 99 or switch to 99A to get into Vancouver?

Posted by joe32F

Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂

05/02/26 07:49 PM

13501 posts

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

Posted by Claire

Vancouver, BC

05/02/26 09:08 PM

939 posts

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.

Posted by Kathleen

Camano Island, WA, usa

05/02/26 09:49 PM

1739 posts

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.