New figures compiled by the Whatcom Council of Governments show a sharp 22 per cent year-on-year drop in March crossings of British Columbia licence plates at the four busiest Lower Mainland land borders with Washington State—Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden and Sumas. The data, released 7 April, extend a downward trend that began in 2025, when overall B.C. southbound traffic fell 36 per cent. Analysts cite several factors: a weaker Canadian dollar, lingering concerns about longer U.S. entry-exit procedures, and political uncertainty after repeated tariff threats from Washington. With the European Union set to launch its own Entry/Exit System later this year and the U.S. planning biometric upgrades at land borders, Canadian motorists may be recalibrating the cost-benefit of cross-border shopping runs. For retailers and service stations on the U.S. side of the line, fewer Canadian shoppers translate into softer sales. Conversely, B.C. tourism operators could benefit as residents redirect leisure dollars domestically. Transport companies moving just-in-time goods may need to revisit delivery schedules if unpredictable northbound waits persist. Global-mobility teams that routinely send staff on short-notice drives to U.S. branch offices should factor in reduced lane capacity and consider NEXUS enrolment to mitigate wait times.
![Cross-Border Car Trips from B.C. to Washington State Plunge 22 % in March]()
At this juncture, many travellers and corporate mobility planners are turning to VisaHQ for help decoding the shifting landscape of travel paperwork. The service’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) aggregates real-time information on U.S. visas, ESTA, NEXUS renewals and documents for more than 200 other destinations, streamlining preparation for those now weighing flights and farther-flung itineraries over quick border runs.
Statistics Canada meanwhile reports that while U.S. trips fell 25.4 per cent in 2025, Canadian overseas travel actually rose 9.2 per cent, suggesting a shift toward long-haul destinations accessible by air rather than car. The Whatcom Council plans to release April numbers in mid-May, offering a clearer view of whether the decline is seasonal or the new normal as border policies tighten on both sides.
At this juncture, many travellers and corporate mobility planners are turning to VisaHQ for help decoding the shifting landscape of travel paperwork. The service’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) aggregates real-time information on U.S. visas, ESTA, NEXUS renewals and documents for more than 200 other destinations, streamlining preparation for those now weighing flights and farther-flung itineraries over quick border runs.
Statistics Canada meanwhile reports that while U.S. trips fell 25.4 per cent in 2025, Canadian overseas travel actually rose 9.2 per cent, suggesting a shift toward long-haul destinations accessible by air rather than car. The Whatcom Council plans to release April numbers in mid-May, offering a clearer view of whether the decline is seasonal or the new normal as border policies tighten on both sides.
