We are planning to visit my parents in Bellingham, Washington, for US Thanksgiving so he can meet them for the first time. My fiance will most likely fly into Vancouver, which is much closer than Sea Tac and probably less expensive. I may be able to fly directly into Bellingham this time, otherwise I too will fly into Vancouver. I have a few questions about traffic back ups and border crossing issues since I think there are a few people here from that area.

How bad is the traffic jam at the Blaine border crossing normally around Thanksgiving? (My parents once took me to White Rock and we waited for over two hours--that is not the norm, is it?)

If we use the Sumas/Abbottsford crossing to avoid the traffic jam, are they likely to interpret this as shopping for a friendlier crossing (ie, might they think we are trying to avoid being denied as opposed to just trying to avoid sitting in a ridiculous traffic jam)?

If I pick him up at the airport in my parents' car, is there any reason for the fact that I'm driving a car that is obviously not mine to cause any additional hassles at the border? I do have the same last name as my mom.

Is there any reason to worry about me (USC) being denied entry into Canada if my return flight is from Vancouver?

When does the requirement of a passport for a land crossing go into effect? (In case my mom picks him or both of us up at the airport--I'm not sure she renewed her last passport.)

Border line ups have been up to 3 - 4 hours on holiday weekends BEFORE the equalization of the Can/USA dollar. Allow lots of time. Last Easter I spend 3.5 hours in the Abbotsford border crossing into the USA for dinner at my sister's
As an American you can drive your parent's vehicle, but it won't hurt to have a letter from them. No Canadian can drive a US vehicle into Canada - it is grounds for arrest.
You only need BC and another piece of photoID to cross the border by car, but you need a valid passport to fly out of YVR to USA. I believe the rules are changing for cross border travel with a BC in January 2008.

I can't stress giving yourself tons of time on either side of the border when coming by car.

Carslo

Yes, trust me on this one be sure you have PROOF of whos car it is if it is someone elses. They REALLY do not like CDN driving American cars unless you are importing or have another good reason. If you own it, different story but a random person with a different last name etc... yikes!

3.5 hours is ridiculous. Visiting my family is stressful enough without that! He'll just have to fly to SeaTac. When I managed rental properties in Whatcom County and out-of-staters called about renting a place because they were moving to the area, my mom told me to tell them it always rains and forget to mention how beautiful it is. This is why.

Anyway, thank you for the replies. If not for the extra scrutiny we might be subjected to with the visa pending, it would not have occurred to me to think twice about either of us borrowing my parents' car to go to Vancouver for dinner. Someday when we are visiting my parents after we're married, knowing this is going to save us an huge hassle.

Jan/2008 is correct as to when Americans will need a passport to enter back into the US. For now, DL and birth cert are fine. American Thanksgiving weekend especially, i think will be crazy at the borders, only because of "black friday" (correct if I'm wrong, the day after US thanksgiving??). The Canadians will all be heading down to shop, and even more of them with the dollar being the so good (I'm sure I will be one of them). If you don't mind line ups, then fly into Vanc if its cheaper. If not, I would fly into Seattle and do the 90 min drive up to Bellingham. Or go through the border at less peak times, as in late at night, its what I do!!