Gas Prices, Border Crossings, and Whatcom County

Key Questions

As gas prices have spiked in Washington State, have they also spiked in Canada? How has the relationship changed between gas prices north and south of the border? And when gas prices are meaningfully different on one side of the border, how does that affect border crossings?

Gas Prices Remain Higher in British Columbia

Gas prices in British Columbia are typically higher than in Washington State, which has historically encouraged some Canadian drivers to cross the border to fill up. The Seattle metro and Vancouver, B.C. gas price comparison shows that the north side of the border generally remains more expensive over the years. In 2025, the savings from buying gas in Washington were relatively modest. That smaller price gap may have been a part of the decrease in border crossings, but the main reason is assumed to be the tariffs and the conflicts that have arisen between the US and Canada. In 2026, gas prices spiked in the United States from the war, but the jump has occurred in Canada as well.

The graph shows that cross-border gas savings have increased in 2026 (Graph is based on the equivalent US Dollar price per gallon), but the cross border traffic has only improved modestly. In April of 2026, it shows a 10% increase from 2025, but still a 27% drop from 2024. This shows that many Canadians are still choosing not to cross the border. However, even in late 2025 we began to see more cross-border traffic relatively to the lowest points.

Bottom Line

Whatcom County benefits from Canadian visitors who shop, buy gas, eat at restaurants, and support local businesses. Gas prices are a minor factor affecting border traffic, but the relationship is worth watching. It may take more than a new Chick-Fil-A and Trader Joes to get Canadians to visit Whatcom County again in big numbers.