Major city · United States
Sumas
Skip Sumas as a destination: it is a border crossing and fuel stop. Use it for 2–3 hours on the way to Abbotsford, or sleep one night before an early crossing.
Sumas is a town of about 1,300 people on the Canadian border in Whatcom County, Washington, and the northernmost incorporated community in the lower 48 states. Almost everything visitors do here is tied to the border: cheap fuel, a duty-free store, PO boxes for Canadians and the Huntingdon–Sumas crossing into British Columbia. The commercial core is two blocks wide and about eight blocks long, so you can walk all of it in under an hour. Treat it as a functional stop, not a sightseeing base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (rain, occasional snow and ice on WA-9)
- Airports
- BLI · YXX · YVR
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sumas911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Whatcom Transportation Authority+1 360-676-7433
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sumas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow street crime; the US border presence in town is heavy.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 360-676-7433 Whatcom Transportation Authority
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBLI Bellingham International (About 30–35 min south by car via I-5 and WA-546; no direct bus to Sumas).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or fast-food meal$9–16
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedRV site with hookups, a night, per roomUS$40
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedMotel or lodge room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BLI Bellingham International (About 30–35 min south by car via I-5 and WA-546; no direct bus to Sumas) · YXX Abbotsford International (BC) (About 20–25 min north across the border; crossing times vary) · YVR Vancouver International (BC) (About 1 h 15 min–1 h 45 min north, border wait included)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (19 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sumas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
15 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
16 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
19 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The business core is two blocks wide and about eight blocks long, and Cherry Street runs straight to the border post. A car is needed for the industrial park west of town, the RV park and anything outside Sumas. WTA route 71X runs Monday–Saturday between Sumas and Bellingham; the nearest Abbotsford transit stops are a few blocks north of the crossing.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 35–45 min by car
Car south on WA-9 and WA-546, or WTA route 71X Monday–Saturday
The real base for this corner of the state: food, lodging and the Alaska ferry terminal.
Door to door: About 10–15 min
Car south on WA-546, about 10 min
Closest town with a walkable main street and more places to eat.
Door to door: About 30 min
Car west on WA-546 then north on I-5
Second border crossing and a small waterfront; useful if Sumas is backed up.
Abbotsford, BC
cautionDoor to door: About 25–40 min plus border wait
North on WA-9 through the Huntingdon–Sumas crossing, then Highway 11
Bring a passport or Nexus card; check current US and Canadian entry rules before you drive.
Mount Vernon, Washington
goDoor to door: About 1 h
South on WA-9 through Sedro-Woolley
Skagit Valley base; pairs with a tulip-season drive in April.
Ferndale, Washington
skipDoor to door: About 30–35 min
Car south via Lynden or I-5
Nothing here you cannot get in Bellingham.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cherry Street core
The only real lodging cluster: Sumas Mountain Lodge and the RV park are both here or just off it. Walk to shops, fuel and the border post.
Bellingham or Lynden
Better beds, food and evening options 25–35 min south. Sleep here and cross in the morning instead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| WTA route 71X, Sumas to Bellingham, one way2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Tank of fuel, mid-size car1 × US$45 · check | US$45 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$242 per person per day, bed included | US$483 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and duty-free shopping excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or fast-food meal | $9–16 |
| Gallon of regular fuelcheck | $3.50–4.50 |
| Motel room, one night | $90–220 |
| RV site with hookupscheck | $40–90 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cherry Street backs up with stopped traffic at the border: do not plan a tight connection through town.
- Speed limits in town are low and enforced; drive slowly.
- Canadian alcohol and cigarette exemption limits are strict — over the limit means heavy tax at the border.
- Cash exchange rates at local businesses that take Canadian dollars are usually poor; pay by card or in USD.
- Border wait times swing from minutes to over an hour; check the official wait-time feed before you commit.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Whatcom Transportation Authority
- +1 360-676-7433
Pocket card
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SumasSumas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- WTA (bus information)+1 360-676-7433
Embassy
No consulates in Sumas. Canadian consulate-general in Seattle; most other countries: embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- WTA route 71X, Sumas → Bellingham: about $2 one way, Monday–Saturday (check)
- Fuel, per gallon in Sumas: usually below Abbotsford pump prices (check)
- Taxi or rideshare, Sumas → Bellingham: $45–70 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the border crossing? — Where is the border crossing?
- How long is the wait? — How long is the wait?
- Can I pay in Canadian dollars? — Can I pay in Canadian dollars?
- Fill it up, please — Fill it up, please
- Do you have a restroom? — Do you have a restroom?
- Thank you — Thank you
US and Canadian citizens can usually cross with a passport, passport card or enhanced ID; other nationalities need the right US or Canadian visa — see the visa requirements page.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sumas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (rain, occasional snow and ice on WA-9) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Border-crossing contract: live wait-time feed, Nexus vs regular lane, and a Blaine fallback when Sumas backs up.
- Fuel and duty-free price comparison against Abbotsford and Lynden, refreshed monthly.
- Two walking loops with verified opening hours: Cherry Street core and the 9/11 monument by the border station.
- Sleep pages with verified check-in cutoffs for Sumas Mountain Lodge and the RV park.
Sources
- officialCity of Sumas
- officialWhatcom Transportation Authority
- officialDuty Free Americas — Sumas
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sumas, revision 5300538 (CC BY-SA 4.0)