B.C. cross-border travel to U.S. drops for the 13th month in a row | Daily Hive

B.C. cross-border travel to the U.S. drops for the 13th month in a row

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The number of British Columbians travelling to the U.S. has now dropped each month for over a year.

The Whatcom Council of Governments’ 2025 Changes in Border Volume data shows that in February 2026, the volume of southbound vehicles from B.C. to Washington state dipped by 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.

There were nearly 20,000 fewer personal vehicles crossing southbound across the Canada-United States border in B.C. compared to last February.

However, it is also the smallest year-over-year monthly decrease in crossings at the Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Sumas, and Lynden crossings since early 2025.

illuminaphoto/Shutterstock

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The Whatcom Council of Governments’ data comprises vehicle volume from the Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden, and Sumas ports of entry.

The slowdown of travel from B.C. to Washington state began in February 2025, with 36 per cent fewer vehicle crossings made between the Pacific Northwest neighbours in 2025 overall.

Throughout the rest of 2025, the volume of southbound vehicles from B.C. to Washington state dropped anywhere from 28 per cent to 51 per cent, year-over-year.

Whatcom Council of Governments

January 2026 data showed a 32 per cent decline in British Columbians travelling to the U.S. compared to the same period in 2025.

Canadian airlines cut back on flights to the United States this winter as travel habits changed and demand softened.

According to a new industry bulletin by OAG chief aviation data analyst John Grant, between January and March 2026, airlines flying from Canada to the U.S. have scheduled about 10 per cent fewer seats than they did during the first three months of 2025. That reduction amounts to roughly 450,000 fewer seats overall, and a four per cent reduction in Canada’s overall international capacity.

Eliyahu Yosef Parypa/Shutterstock

Canada also recently issued an important update to its U.S. travel advisory that could affect travellers heading south.

The Government of Canada updated its U.S. travel advisory, making changes to the entry and exit requirements. The latest update could impact First Nations persons and Native Americans born in Canada.

“You may be able to cross the Canada-U.S. border by land or water with your Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), also known as a secure status card,” reads the update. “However, the acceptance of all status cards is entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials.”

It’s also important to note that secure status cards aren’t accepted travel documents for air travel. According to Indigenous Services Canada, the government started issuing status cards in 1956 as an official identity document confirming registration under the Indian Act.

Are you avoiding travel to Washington or the U.S. this year? Let us know in the comments or get in touch at vancouver@dailyhive.com.

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