Border Crossing FAQ
The most common questions travelers ask about US land border crossings. For crossing-specific FAQs (hours, lane types, local quirks), open any crossing detail page from the home page.
Wait times and data
Where do the wait times come from?
Don't Wait relays wait times published directly by the agencies staffing each crossing: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for US-bound traffic and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for Canada-bound traffic. We do not estimate, smooth, or alter the numbers — they are CBP and CBSA estimates, displayed as-is.
How often are wait times updated?
CBP officers at each port report a wait estimate roughly once an hour while the port is staffed. CBSA updates on a similar cadence. We re-poll the upstream feeds every five minutes; once an officer updates, the new number appears here within minutes.
How accurate are the wait times?
They are estimates, not real-time GPS-derived measurements. They reflect the wait reported by officers at the booth at the time of the last update. Real waits can be longer or shorter than the published number, especially during shift changes, busy periods, or weather events. Treat all numbers as approximate.
Why does a crossing show "no data" or "update pending"?
The upstream feed has not reported a number for that lane recently — usually because the port is idle, the lane is closed, or staffing has not posted an update in the last hour. We display exactly what the feed publishes; missing data is the agency's choice, not ours.
Why are some lanes (NEXUS, FAST) missing from a crossing that supports them?
CBP and CBSA sometimes publish only the standard-lane wait even at a crossing with NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST lanes physically present. When this happens, we show a note saying the lane exists but the wait time is not published for that direction.
Documents and eligibility
What documents do I need to cross the US-Canada border by car?
US and Canadian citizens entering by land need a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license (EDL), or NEXUS card. Citizens of other countries need a passport plus any required visa or eTA. See our documents guide for the full breakdown.
What documents do I need to cross the US-Mexico border?
US citizens entering the US from Mexico by land need a passport, passport card, EDL, or SENTRI card. Citizens of other countries need a passport plus any required visa. If you are entering Mexico beyond the border zone or for more than 7 days, you also need an FMM tourist permit — see our FMM guide.
Can I cross with kids?
Yes, but children need their own travel documents, and if a child is traveling with only one parent (or with someone other than a parent), CBP and CBSA strongly recommend carrying a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s). See our crossing with kids guide.
Can I cross with pets?
Generally yes, but dogs entering the US must comply with new CDC requirements (online filing, rabies vaccination, microchip). Cats are easier. See our crossing with pets guide for the full document checklist.
Trusted-traveler programs
What is NEXUS?
NEXUS is a joint US-Canada trusted-traveler program. Members get dedicated lanes at every NEXUS-equipped land crossing plus all the benefits of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. $120 for 5 years. See our NEXUS application guide.
What is SENTRI?
SENTRI is the US-Mexico equivalent of NEXUS — dedicated lanes for pre-approved low-risk travelers crossing from Mexico into the US. $122.25 for 5 years and includes Global Entry/TSA PreCheck. See our SENTRI application guide.
Which trusted-traveler program should I get?
Depends on where you cross. NEXUS is best for US-Canada land crossings. SENTRI is required for the US-Mexico SENTRI lanes. Global Entry is for international air arrivals only — no land-border benefits beyond what NEXUS or SENTRI already include. See our comparison guide.
Are NEXUS/SENTRI lanes always faster?
Usually significantly faster, especially at the busiest crossings (San Ysidro, Peace Arch, Ambassador Bridge) where the standard lane wait can be 60-180+ minutes and the trusted-traveler lane is under 15. But trusted-traveler lanes can still see backups, particularly at smaller crossings with only one trusted-traveler lane open.
Trip planning
When is the best time to cross the US-Canada border?
Tuesday-Thursday early morning is the quietest at most crossings. Friday afternoons through Sunday evenings are the busiest. See our best time to cross US-Canada guide for crossing-specific patterns.
When is the best time to cross the US-Mexico border?
Weekday mornings, especially early. Sunday afternoons (returning travelers) and Friday evenings are the worst. See our best time to cross US-Mexico guide.
Do wait times change for holidays?
Yes, significantly. US Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, US/Canadian long weekends, and spring break all produce multi-hour waits at major crossings. Mexican holidays (Semana Santa, Dia de Muertos) similarly spike US-Mexico crossings. Build extra time into holiday travel.
What if my crossing is closed?
Smaller crossings have limited hours and can also close unexpectedly for weather, construction, or staffing. Every detail page on this site shows nearby alternative crossings. The closest paved alternative is usually within 20-60 minutes.
At the booth
What questions will the officer ask?
Standard questions: citizenship, where you live, where you are going, purpose of the trip, how long you will stay, what you are bringing. Answer briefly and honestly. Do not volunteer information beyond what is asked.
What if I get sent to secondary inspection?
Secondary is a separate area for additional questioning, vehicle search, or paperwork. It is routine and not an accusation — sometimes you are picked randomly, sometimes a flag in the system requires follow-up. Cooperate, be patient, and you will usually be released within 30-60 minutes. See our secondary inspection guide.
What do I have to declare?
All food, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, agricultural products, currency over $10,000, and any purchases or gifts. When in doubt, declare it — the penalty for undeclared items is much worse than the duty. See our what to declare guide.
About this site
Is this an official government site?
No. Don't Wait is an independent project. We relay public wait-time feeds from CBP and CBSA, but we are not affiliated with either agency.
Do I need to sign up to use it?
No. Every feature works without an account. An optional free account is available if you want your favorite crossings to sync across devices.
Is it free?
Yes. The wait-time lookup and all current features are free and will remain free. A future Pro tier will add push notifications when wait times cross your threshold, but the basic wait-time data will always be free. See pricing.