Has anyone travelled the US in 2026?
- Thread starter blueman2
- Start date
A few times now, 3x for business, twice for pleasure, 3x by air, 2x at the PeaceArch crossing.
Biz one to California, one to Kentucky/TN, one to Arizona. YVR US immigration, very short lineups, short chats, pleasant welcoming agents. I would say even more so than in the past.
At Peace Arch, first was a couple months ago, maybe a 10 min lineup, short chat where do you live, where you going, when you back and a pleasant enjoy your stay. Second was 2 weeks ago, really chatty agent maybe because there was NO ONE at any of the stalls, No shit, I was the only car. Shot the shit with the guy about the fact I was the only car, said it was happening now and then, the agents were ok with it all. pretty relaxed.
While in the US, even the red states, not a red hat or felon pedo sign anywhere. The population appears to have gotten the message.
Biz one to California, one to Kentucky/TN, one to Arizona. YVR US immigration, very short lineups, short chats, pleasant welcoming agents. I would say even more so than in the past.
At Peace Arch, first was a couple months ago, maybe a 10 min lineup, short chat where do you live, where you going, when you back and a pleasant enjoy your stay. Second was 2 weeks ago, really chatty agent maybe because there was NO ONE at any of the stalls, No shit, I was the only car. Shot the shit with the guy about the fact I was the only car, said it was happening now and then, the agents were ok with it all. pretty relaxed.
While in the US, even the red states, not a red hat or felon pedo sign anywhere. The population appears to have gotten the message.
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Thanks!
Given the political tensions between Canada and the US would you drive through the US from BC to Ontario sightseeing as much as possible along the way?
There’s a lot of embellishment about the rhetoric and that’s all it is. I spend a ton of time in the US and I see that normal people don’t give a shit. Most Americans I’ve run into feel bad that we’re subjected to a lot of pressure from the current administration. Some people joke about “hey c’mon it’ll be great as the 51st state” and I joke about it too and that’s all it is. If you’re driving across the border as a normal tourist and there’s not a single trace of cannabis and you’re following all declaration rules then there’s absolutely no difference between now and back then. The US border agents do act with more assertiveness compared to two years ago but I’ve always found them to be professional and respectful - just doing their job. Same with the Canadian agents, they’re more assertive than before but they’re also reasonable and just doing their job. I’ve glad to see borders protected, in my opinion.
I don’t think you’ll run into any issues driving east. I’ve driven to Spokane and Boise late last year and it was great. Not a single issue. I also drive to Seattle/Tacoma regularly (e.g. most recently 3 times in May) and it’s generally fine but you do get more of the DTES vibe. I’ve gone a couple times to Portland this year (latest was May including passing through Seattle/Tacoma, and once in March) and I’d say it’s WAY worse there. I was parked at a BestBuy and I witnessed an old lady with American flags on her car get harassed by some left wing nutjob. He was carrying out a shitty $100 TV and he was walking to his little Nissan Micra when he stopped at this old lady parked in front of me so I witnessed everything. He started cursing at her for no reason and started shouting out “those are murder flags” and “you’re supporting murderers” and “how would you like it if I deported you to England” and on and on… If you’re outside of the city and west in Beaverton or further south in Eugene, it’s all very nice, so just Portland is pretty bad, in my opinion. So if I speculate what it’s like in the Chicago area, I’d have to be concerned based on what I’ve seen in Portland. You should consider this as you plan your drive east.
Flying out, there’s no change. BUT for a few months in Feb to April, flying back at US airports have been a nightmare because they were fighting the budget to defund DHS so the security lineups at big airports were a total nightmare. This year, I’ve been to SEA, SFO, LAX, LAS, DFW, PHX, MIA, and ATL. It was fine earlier this year in January and then it was like hitting a brick wall. Doesn’t matter if it’s a red state or blue state, I haven’t noticed anything against Canadians whatsoever. All of the previous stereotypes still exist from long before and it’s got nothing to do with the current political climate. Are there a lot less snowbirds in FL, CA and AZ? YES absolutely many many of us have stayed north of the border, but it just means a lot of businesses were hurting from lack of spending from snowbirds so I actually see deals offering 1:1 exchange at stores for Canadians. I haven’t flown in May but I am flying out again this week to LA for FIFA kickoff parties there so I’ll let you know if anything’s changed.
Just one more comment if you’re planning to drive through US going east… just make sure you’re budgeting properly. Things are A LOT more expensive in the states. Even gas is more expensive and I’m not just talking about the exchange rate. I don’t know when you’ve gone through the US last, but if it’s been over a year, at least double your budget based on what you used to know.
I don’t think you’ll run into any issues driving east. I’ve driven to Spokane and Boise late last year and it was great. Not a single issue. I also drive to Seattle/Tacoma regularly (e.g. most recently 3 times in May) and it’s generally fine but you do get more of the DTES vibe. I’ve gone a couple times to Portland this year (latest was May including passing through Seattle/Tacoma, and once in March) and I’d say it’s WAY worse there. I was parked at a BestBuy and I witnessed an old lady with American flags on her car get harassed by some left wing nutjob. He was carrying out a shitty $100 TV and he was walking to his little Nissan Micra when he stopped at this old lady parked in front of me so I witnessed everything. He started cursing at her for no reason and started shouting out “those are murder flags” and “you’re supporting murderers” and “how would you like it if I deported you to England” and on and on… If you’re outside of the city and west in Beaverton or further south in Eugene, it’s all very nice, so just Portland is pretty bad, in my opinion. So if I speculate what it’s like in the Chicago area, I’d have to be concerned based on what I’ve seen in Portland. You should consider this as you plan your drive east.
Flying out, there’s no change. BUT for a few months in Feb to April, flying back at US airports have been a nightmare because they were fighting the budget to defund DHS so the security lineups at big airports were a total nightmare. This year, I’ve been to SEA, SFO, LAX, LAS, DFW, PHX, MIA, and ATL. It was fine earlier this year in January and then it was like hitting a brick wall. Doesn’t matter if it’s a red state or blue state, I haven’t noticed anything against Canadians whatsoever. All of the previous stereotypes still exist from long before and it’s got nothing to do with the current political climate. Are there a lot less snowbirds in FL, CA and AZ? YES absolutely many many of us have stayed north of the border, but it just means a lot of businesses were hurting from lack of spending from snowbirds so I actually see deals offering 1:1 exchange at stores for Canadians. I haven’t flown in May but I am flying out again this week to LA for FIFA kickoff parties there so I’ll let you know if anything’s changed.
Just one more comment if you’re planning to drive through US going east… just make sure you’re budgeting properly. Things are A LOT more expensive in the states. Even gas is more expensive and I’m not just talking about the exchange rate. I don’t know when you’ve gone through the US last, but if it’s been over a year, at least double your budget based on what you used to know.
Twice in the last 12 months for pleasure through YVR and Port terminals in Florida. Never an issue at the airport and the Ports have face recognition so no interaction with border agents at the ports unless you get selected for further screening. Definitely less volume at the YVR international terminal than previous years .
My friends in Florida and Texas are trump voters but know not to touch political subjects with me as the wives get mad quickly and when they brought up the 51st state jokes and annexation/slash Puerto Rico jokes I let it go the first time ; but the second time I just asked when was the last time the US invaded successfully a country....it took them 2 min of reflection... and afterwards not a word was said about that again.
Most Americans from the northern states and Eastern or Western seaboard states apologies as soon as they know you are from Canada... Southerners on the other hand for the most part seem to handle us like a hot potato not knowing what to say unless they are from a tourist affected big city. Keep in mind it's anecdotal and a small sample of people over a 5 week period.
My friends in Florida and Texas are trump voters but know not to touch political subjects with me as the wives get mad quickly and when they brought up the 51st state jokes and annexation/slash Puerto Rico jokes I let it go the first time ; but the second time I just asked when was the last time the US invaded successfully a country....it took them 2 min of reflection... and afterwards not a word was said about that again.
Most Americans from the northern states and Eastern or Western seaboard states apologies as soon as they know you are from Canada... Southerners on the other hand for the most part seem to handle us like a hot potato not knowing what to say unless they are from a tourist affected big city. Keep in mind it's anecdotal and a small sample of people over a 5 week period.
I haven’t been to the states since September 10, 2001 and I own property there.
Someday some lucky realtor will sell it for me but I ain’t never going back there.
Someday some lucky realtor will sell it for me but I ain’t never going back there.
Thank you for the great replies. Nice to hear the experience in real life does not mirror the reporting on the news.
Thank you for this info! I haven't travelled through the US since 2020. I appreciate you warning me about prices. I will do some research on costs before I head out.
So long as you are Canadian, white, have a return flight or plan you can clearly communicate and especially if you have a Nexus card, the border isn't a big deal. If you have had issues at the border in the past, are on a PR from a country that they have flagged as an issue, or somehow get cross ways with the border agent, it can get hairy fast. I wouldn't have anything controversial in any of your social media, especially nothing disparaging the orange cheeto. They likely won't ask, but you never know. Leave the fuck trump shirt at home, don't draw attention to yourself.
As mentioned, leave all of your cannabis at home. You can buy it in most of the states if you have to have it. You get caught and you will be in a world of hurt, charges possible and ban from the US for a period of time very possible.
All of the rest likely belongs in the US Politics thread, so I will keep my editorial to a minimum but I am only crossing that border if someone else (work) is paying for it until sanity and maturity are back and the nonsense is a memory. There's nothing going on down there I can't replace in Canada or elsewhere.
As mentioned, leave all of your cannabis at home. You can buy it in most of the states if you have to have it. You get caught and you will be in a world of hurt, charges possible and ban from the US for a period of time very possible.
All of the rest likely belongs in the US Politics thread, so I will keep my editorial to a minimum but I am only crossing that border if someone else (work) is paying for it until sanity and maturity are back and the nonsense is a memory. There's nothing going on down there I can't replace in Canada or elsewhere.
I do find Nexus reduces the risk of random interrogation and “having a bad day” border officers. I know non-nexus muggles who got banned on nothing more than federally non-accepted social media postings on their device, texting history, name google searches, yada yada. Trusted traveller is worth it imho, and I don’t fuk with my end of the trust. Cache clearing, deleted photo and email clearing, or ‘safe harbour’ phone across country lines. A good friend is waiting 7 years now to get a pardon so they can go see their elderly relative before she dies. Yup, taking things too casually can get you “causally banned” with no recourse.
Expired Nexus card holder here. They jacked the fee from US$ 50 to $200. Not renewing it for now as I don't use it often enough.
I used to go to Vegas once or twice a year, and crossed the border every couple months for shopping and going to my PO box. Now, its not worth the risk at all. The dollar sucks, and, the political climate. Im a man of color, one of the "wrong colors", so I'm not taking the chance. You dont have any rights at the border, they can tear your car apart, detain you for no reason, and seize and search your electronic devices, etc. I have a nice car, a good life, and dont need to deal with this bullshit, so fuck the states.
