One of the most popular August Long Weekend activities is a road trip to the USA (Grand Forks, Fargo, Minneapolis) – so if you’re planning to head down south this weekend, expect heavy traffic and long delays. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth trip:
– Arrive to the border early. Early bird gets the worm. Anything after 7am and expect a long wait.
– Try smaller, more unknown border crossings (such as the 2 new ones opened in January). They may require a bit of a detour, but might be worth the waiting time saved.
– Don’t forget your documents! The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), implemented June 1, 2009 requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S by land or sea. Simply put, a drivers license isn’t enough anymore – bring your Canadian Passport.
– Travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP website (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/) to avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of prohibited items. Did you know that Kinder Surprise is considered contraband?
– Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Most of the time you’ll be asked to pop open your trunk.
– Wait times for the ports of Pembina, ND and International Falls, MN can be monitored at apps.cbp.gov Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits.
Have a great long weekend Winnipeg! And if you’re planning a road trip, drive safe. [CJOB]
