B.C. vehicles returning to U.S., but below pre-boycott levels

Vehicles at the Peace Arch border crossing between Surrey and Blaine in July 2025. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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Cross-border traffic between B.C. and Washington State is climbing again ahead of the busy summer season, although volumes remain well below 2024 numbers.

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The number of vehicles with B.C. licence plates heading south into the U.S. was over 10 per cent higher than in 2025 in the months of April, May and June.

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Figures compiled by the Whatcom Council of Governments, a regional agency in Washington State headquartered in Bellingham, show 375,154 B.C.-plated vehicles crossed southbound through the Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden and Sumas ports of entry in April, May and June. That’s up from 330,865 during the same period in 2025 — an increase of about 13 per cent.

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Traffic, however, remains well below previous levels. During the same three-month period in 2024, 611,760 B.C. vehicles crossed into Washington, meaning this year’s total is still nearly 40 per cent lower than two years ago.

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The rebound is being noticed by some businesses near the border.

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“Here in the downtown area, we’re seeing a slight uptick, but it’s still pretty sparse,” said Carroll Solomon of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, who has noticed more Canadians stopping at the Blaine Welcome Center in recent weeks.

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Over the Fourth of July weekend, Solomon said she saw more Canadians making the trip south to visit family, shop, travel.

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“Canadians may have a really big reason why they need to come down here. It might be family, business or vacation,” she said. “I think it will loosen up as time goes by, though I fully understand some people who are adamant about not coming down, and I can sympathize.”

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Solomon noted the decline in Canadian visitors cannot be attributed to politics alone. The weak Canadian dollar and broader economic uncertainty have also likely discouraged travel she said.

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Many British Columbians began avoiding trips to the United States in early 2025 following tariff announcements and annexation threats targeting Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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The decline has been particularly noticeable in border communities such as Blaine, where B.C. licence plates were once as common as Washington ones at gas stations, restaurants and local businesses.

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To encourage Canadians to return, the city has installed a billboard on the Canadian side of the border promoting Blaine events and attractions. Last year, local businesses also distributed window decals displaying both the Canadian and American flags.

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“We wanted Canadians who are here to know we’re happy to see them,” Solomon said. “And for those who aren’t ready yet, we’ll wait until you are.”

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The rebound is also showing up in air travel.

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According to Statistics Canada, 1.9 million Canadian residents returned from the United States by air or land in May, up 9.5 per cent from May 2025 — the second consecutive month of year-over-year increases in return trips.

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