Embarking on a road trip to Canada was an enticing idea after spending long months in isolation. My goal was to escape the monotonous backdrop of woodlands outside my window in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and explore a new country – Canada. With unvaccinated children and a dog, flying wasn't an option. So, we opted for a road trip across the U.S.-Canada border.
Planning for the road trip was draining, more stressful than the journey itself. Finding out what was required to cross borders and when to do it wasn't straightforward. Different sources provided contradictory information, which only added to the complexity.
The Canadian government's website suggested that all travelers present a negative Covid-19 molecular test result upon arrival. Unvaccinated children between ages 5 and 11 went through additional testing, with four random groups getting retested at the arrival and on the eighth day of their stay. However, our friend issued a cautionary warning that we might face rejection if we showed up for testing 72 hours and 10 minutes before crossing the border. So, we planned our trip progressively, allowing for time in case of delays at the border.
The importance of obtaining a pet health certificate for our unvaccinated dog added another layer of complexity to our trip. We needed to find pet-friendly accommodations that adhered to the strict Canadian pet quarantine rules. This wasn't straightforward, so we persevered, eventually finding accommodations that welcomed us and our dog heartily.
As we embarked on our journey, we attained a sense of freedom and excitement. The border officers were friendly and welcoming, and we felt a sense of relief as we crossed the boundary. Despite the challenges, the road trip was an unforgettable experience that opened us up to new landscapes, historic sites, and interesting people. We even had the opportunity to reconnect with our family and nature, providing a much-needed break from pandemic life's stresses.
While the complete COVID-19 travel requirements for U.S. road trips to Canada were not explicitly mentioned in our sources, general travel information for Canada can be useful for planning a trip:
- Travel documents: Ensure you have the appropriate travel documents, such as a valid passport, enhanced driver's license, or other accepted identification. Some cases may require visitors' visas or specific documentation.
- Use ArriveCAN: Complete your customs and immigration declaration before crossing the border using ArriveCAN. This tool can help speed up the process at the border.
- Restricted and prohibited goods: Be aware of items that are restricted or prohibited in Canada. Failure to declare these items can result in penalties, seizures, or prosecutions.
- Currency declarations: If you bring in more than CAD$10,000 in currency, cheques, or other monetary instruments, you must declare this amount at the border.
- Disabilities: Disabled travelers can request assistance at the border. Complete your declaration and utilize the dedicated services counter if necessary.
- Border wait times: Plan your trip according to border wait times. Find valuable information on wait times and tips to improve your crossing experience.
- Pacific Crest Trail: Hikers should be aware that crossing the U.S./Canada border on the Pacific Crest Trail without a proper port of entry is no longer permitted. Hikers must now enter Canada through an authorized port of entry [1][2][3].
In conclusion, crossing the U.S.–Canada border on a road trip with unvaccinated children and a dog was not straightforward. However, with careful planning and attention to the general guidelines provided, our journey was rewarding and unforgettable.
