Southbound vehicle crossings from British Columbia into Washington State have increased over the past three months compared to last year, though volumes remain well below pre-boycott levels, according to data from the Whatcom Council of Governments.
Traffic rebound but still depressed
Figures 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 2026. That is up from 330,865 during the same period in 2025 — an increase of about 13 per cent. However, traffic remains nearly 40 per cent lower than the 611,760 vehicles recorded in the same three-month period in 2024.
The rebound is being noticed by businesses near the border. Carroll Solomon of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce said the downtown area is seeing a slight uptick but is still sparse. She noted more Canadians stopping at the Blaine Welcome Center in recent weeks, especially over the Fourth of July weekend to visit family, shop or travel.
Reasons for continued decline
Solomon attributed the decline in Canadian visitors not only to politics but also to the weak Canadian dollar and broader economic uncertainty. Many British Columbians began avoiding trips to the United States in early 2025 after tariff announcements and annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The decline has been particularly noticeable in border communities like Blaine, where B.C. licence plates were once common at gas stations, restaurants and local businesses. To encourage Canadians to return, the city installed a billboard on the Canadian side of the border promoting Blaine events and attractions, and local businesses distributed window decals displaying both the Canadian and American flags.
Air travel also recovering
According to Statistics Canada, 1.9 million Canadian residents returned from the United States by air or land in May 2026, up 9.5 per cent from May 2025 — the second consecutive month of year-over-year increases in return trips.
