Have you guys looked into flying from Bellingham? In the past, I have found that to be both cheaper and quicker than leaving from Seattle.

Yeah, we looked at Bellingham but Seattle was cheaper and they didn't have the flight on dates we want =[. Is crossing border by saying we are catching a flight at so and so relatively straight forward assuming none of us are criminals lol

I don't see why that would be a problem at all. I did just that a few years ago, except I was travelling alone. Just told the US border dude that I was driving to Bellingham to catch a flight to Vegas. He told me to have fun and sent me off. Zero issues at all.

Funny how upon my return, the CBSA fella asked me a lot more questions, including whether I was bringing more than $10k (or whatever amount the limit was) back into Canada. I was like, "Dude, if I had won that much money in Vegas, I would have been flying back home instead of driving my pos car across the border!"

Yeah it shouldn't be a problem. They'll likely ask you if you have 10k in cash in the car, and may ask for your flight itinerary. I'd have that handy when you cross just in case to make it easier for everyone.

Many of my friends fly out of Bellingham. No issues.

Btw, I'm at Angel of the Winds Casino right now having lunch. Gas is $3.80/gal with the discount card. Pretty good. To get card, go into casino and sign up. You need picture ID and credit card.

Left this morning at 5:30ish. Got to border to face 10 min lineup. Only one lane open. I get to within 2 cars and boom two or three lanes open up and everybody behind me gets through, lol. Shift change begins at 6:00 am at Peace Arch. Need to time it better next time.

Now off to Cabellas to check out some firearms, hee hee..........

Free wifi at casino, ftw!

I used to always look for flights out of Bellingham/Seattle. But lately it all depends on where I'm going.

For example, I'm flying to San Francisco this August. I have flown from Bellingham to San Fran or Oakland before. But what I don't like is that there are no direct flights. I always have to transfer at Seattle or Portland. For my August flight, I chose to fly out of Vancouver because the price difference wasn't great enough. The time it will take to drive to Bellingham, the cost of parking for 5 days and my gas was about the cost of the difference between Vancouver or Bellingham/Seattle.

But for my Vegas trip in November, I definitely booked my flight out of Bellingham. The price difference was worth it and I can use that money towards a nice dinner or partying in Vegas. There are also direct flights to Vegas from Bellingham with Alaska Airlines, which I prefer over Allegiant.

Just make sure none of your buddies are shady (i.e. no criminal records) or hold a foreign passport that requires them to go in and get an I-94 (because EVERYONE in the car has to get out for that) and you should be set. Tons of people do it so it's not something that arouses suspicion.

casino has their own gas stn?

I'm going to Seattle Premium Outlets early tmr morning. Is there any places along the way to eat you guys would recommend

Yes.

http://www.revscene.net/forums/64230...m-outlets.html

Tulalip Casino has decent food. If you want cheap, go to the other two casinos. Skagit and Angel of the Winds.

Also, how early is early? Early to me is like 7 am, in which you are limited.

There are some good Mexican restaurants in Burlington, but not open early.

Didn't even see this thread before....... RS = so full of win!

For me, unless I'm saving over $300 between flying out of YVR and seatac there's no way in hell I'll fly out of there again. Went to Arizona and Cali out of seatac for stags, the very VERY last thing I want to do after flying home is have to drive 3.5 hours and deal with the border.

Not worth it.

Dumb question: Am I allowed to drive a RHD vehicle across the border? Or do the US customs agents not care?

They'll probably send you to their inspection lanes, because they're too lazy to walk over to the other side of your car to speak with you. You said dumb question, so I gave you dumb answer.

Or the avoid this reverse your way through the crossing.

Despite the fact that people are failing you, US Customs DO care. Not all of them, but the ones who are awared on JDM imports do. Simply because there have been certain cases of people driving "their" RHD cars down and across the border, selling them, and then flying back to Canada. This is done obviously b/c the US has a 25-year rule while Canada has 15 years. And yes I know Quebec has 25 year rule as well but they shouldn't even be part of Canada (my editorial for the day lol). A friend of mine who owns an RHD car typically has to show the US border agents that he plans to return (with car). Common tip-offs are RHD cars that are extremely clean, w/o clutter, day insurance only, etc etc.

Yup. Members get 7 cents per gallon discount. For the longest of time, the River Rock gas station right by the freeway on/off ramps had cheaper gas. I guess they finally clued in that they were losing a lot of business to that gas station that they decided to compete. I believe they're both on Indian land. The casino has expanded to include a new addition - a hotel.

How much gas are you allowed to bring back in jerry cans before getting taxed?

The only gas not subject to taxation is that which is in your tank.

Alright, what percent do you pay on it after that then?

i believe individual being subject to being taxed for gas is up to the discretion of the border agent, correct me if I am wrong

i've drove back and forth with 2 (20L) jerry cans and not be taxed multiple times
*knock on wood*

I bring back 3x25L jerry cans and its never been a problem.

Do you claim it?

I declare everything. A normal day for me I bring back about 100 in groceries, 100 in fuel, 12 pack of beer and a pack of cigarettes. Sometimes I bring back random stuff I ship to 24/7 also.