Opening Hours
Standard Hours:
Route 221 (Champlain): 24/7 operations
Route 223 (Rouses Point): 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST
Seasonal Adjustments: No significant seasonal changes reported
Holiday Closures: Both crossings remain operational during holidays, though staffing may be adjusted
Wait Time & Traffic
Average Wait:
- Passenger Vehicles: 20-45 minutes (varies by time of day)
- Commercial Trucks: 35-70 minutes
- Buses: 30-60 minutes
Peak Times:
- Weekday mornings (6:00-9:00 AM): Moderate delays for commuter traffic
- Thursday-Friday afternoons (12:00-3:00 PM): Heaviest congestion due to cross-border shopping and freight movements
- Sunday evenings (5:00-8:00 PM): High volume as weekend travelers return
Express Options:
- NEXUS: Reduces wait times by approximately 72% for pre-approved travelers
- FAST Lane: Expedited commercial clearance (under 15 minutes) for certified carriers
- Mobile Passport Control (MPC): CBP-approved app reduces inspection time by approximately 40%
Border Facilities
Immigration Processing:
Available (22 primary inspection lanes, 14 automated)
Customs Processing:
Available (8 commercial inspection docks with gamma-ray scanners)
Health Screening:
Limited (focused on specific endemic disease prevention)
Services:
24-hour currency exchange (USD/CAD at interbank rates)
Restrooms (ADA-compliant facilities)
Limited food and beverage options
Charging stations with universal adapters
Information desk during business hours
Accessibility:
Wheelchair accessible facilities
Dedicated lanes for those with mobility issues
Service animal accommodations
Hearing impaired services available upon request
Official Resources
Canada Border Authority:
- Canada Border Services Agency: 1-800-461-9999 | www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- Border Wait Times: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html
United States Border Authority:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: (518) 298-3182 | www.cbp.gov/ports/champlain
- CBP Border Wait Times: bwt.cbp.gov
Travel Advisories:
- Government of Canada Travel Advice: travel.gc.ca
- U.S. Department of State Travel: travel.state.gov
- Joint Traffic Advisory Portal: borderwaitimes.gov (updated every 15 minutes)
Overview
The Lacolle-Champlain border crossing serves as a vital gateway between Quebec, Canada and New York, United States, ranking as the sixth-busiest land port of entry between the two nations. Processing approximately 0.54 million vehicles annually, this border facility operates through a dual-route system via Highways 221 and 223, efficiently handling both commercial and passenger traffic. The historic Overton Corners–Lacolle 221 Border Crossing, established in 1913, features a Georgian Revival inspection station that was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2014, combining architectural heritage with modern biometric screening systems. Recent infrastructure upgrades under the Champlain Region Border Improvement Initiative aim to enhance capacity by 40% by 2027, including expansion of commercial inspection bays and implementation of automated recognition systems. The parallel Lacolle Route 223 crossing complements Route 221's operations by separating traffic flows, helping to reduce congestion at this critical node in the U.S.-Canada trade and travel network.
Document Requirements
- Machine-readable passport with minimum 6-month validity beyond intended stay
- Appropriate visa for destination country or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Canada
- I-94 form for entry into the United States (can be completed electronically in advance)
- COVID-19 vaccination documentation (if arriving from endemic zones)
- Commercial drivers require valid CDL with appropriate endorsements
- Valid U.S. passport book or passport card
- Trusted Traveler Program membership (Global Entry/NEXUS)
- Enhanced driver’s license (EDL) from participating states
- Birth certificate with government-issued photo ID (land/sea crossings only)
- Enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or provincial photo identification card
- Valid Canadian passport
- NEXUS card (if enrolled in the program)
- Birth certificate with government-issued photo ID (not recommended as primary ID)
- Commercial operators require FAST certification for cargo vehicles
Crossing Procedure
From Canada Side
Approach the pre-clearance checkpoint approximately 2km before the actual border
Present travel documents to the CBSA officer for initial verification
Answer standard questions about citizenship, purpose of travel, and goods being transported
Submit to random vehicle searches if selected (affects approximately 8.2% of total traffic)
Proceed to the actual border crossing point following officer approval
From USA Side
Proceed to primary inspection booth and present all required travel documents
Use Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks if eligible (U.S./Canadian passport holders)
Submit to facial recognition verification matching against CBP databases
Answer CBP officer questions regarding purpose and length of stay, items being brought in
Complete currency declaration if carrying amounts exceeding $10,000 USD
Undergo secondary screening if selected, including possible vehicle scanning for contraband
Special Considerations
Vehicle Imports/Exports:
Temporary vehicle imports (under 30 days) require proof of ownership and insurance
Permanent vehicle imports subject to safety and emissions standards compliance
Commercial vehicles require additional permits and compliance with weight restrictions
Goods Allowances:
Alcohol: 1.14L spirits/person (must declare quantities over 1L)
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes/person
Agricultural Goods: Under $200 value (phytosanitary certificates required for certain items)
Gift items: Up to $100 CAD value duty-free entering Canada
Prohibited Items:
Firearms and weapons (unless properly declared and permitted)
Illegal drugs and controlled substances
Certain agricultural products (fresh fruits, meats, plants)
Counterfeit merchandise
Wildlife products from endangered species
Currency Restrictions:
Mandatory reporting threshold: $10,000 USD equivalent (or combined value of currency and monetary instruments)
Precious metals: Requires IRS Form 105 declaration
Cryptocurrency: Digital wallet balances subject to capital gains reporting
Known Issues:
GPS navigation sometimes directs travelers to closed crossing points
Cell service can be spotty in immediate border area
Weather-related delays common during winter months (December-March)
Accommodations
Hotels and Restaurants near Border (Canada side):
- Hôtel Lacolle: Basic accommodations 0.5km from border (mid-range pricing, 3-star)
- Auberge des Cultures: Boutique hotel with restaurant featuring local cuisine
- Tim Hortons: Popular Canadian coffee chain with light meals, 3km from crossing
Hotels and Restaurants near Border (US side):
- Comfort Inn Champlain: Pet-friendly lodging with truck parking (2km from border)
- Best Western Plus: Conference facilities and customs brokerage services
- Plattsburgh Brewing Company: Casual dining with craft beers, 30-minute drive south
Better Options Nearby:
- Montreal, Quebec (66km north): Extensive selection of international hotels and renowned restaurants
- Plattsburgh, New York (32km south): Wider range of chain hotels with shuttle services and family dining options
- Burlington, Vermont (80km southeast): Resort accommodations and farm-to-table dining experiences
Public Review Sentiments
Based on total reviews found online, the Lacolle-Champlain border crossing generally receives positive feedback for its efficiency during standard daytime hours and professional staff interactions. Travelers frequently commend the quick processing times during off-peak periods, particularly noting the pleasant and courteous border agents who handle routine crossings with minimal delays. However, critical feedback consistently highlights significant delays during peak travel periods, especially on weekends and holidays when wait times can exceed an hour. Some travelers report inconsistent experiences depending on which agent processes their entry, with occasional complaints about excessively detailed questioning. Night crossings (after midnight) receive the most negative reviews, with travelers reporting longer processing times and more intensive questioning. Despite these issues, the overall sentiment suggests that with proper timing and preparation, most crossers have a straightforward experience.
Traveler Experiences
"Crossed on a Tuesday afternoon around 2:30 PM. Total wait time was less than 10 minutes despite seeing a line of cars. The border agent was professional and thorough but not unfriendly. He asked basic questions about citizenship, purpose of visit, and length of stay. Had my passport ready and the whole process took about 2 minutes at the booth. Much smoother than expected!" - Maria S., February 2025
"Avoid this crossing on holiday weekends! We spent nearly two hours in line trying to enter Canada on Memorial Day weekend. The actual processing was quick once we reached the booth, but the backup was terrible. No restroom facilities in the waiting area meant a very uncomfortable wait. If you must cross during peak times, use the NEXUS lane if eligible." - James T., May 2024
"Night crossing experience was surprisingly efficient. Arrived at the US border around 11:30 PM on a Wednesday. Only two lanes were open but there were only three cars ahead of us. The officer was serious but fair, asking about our trip purpose and checking our documents. The whole process took less than 15 minutes from arrival to departure. The facilities are well-lit and I felt safe even at that late hour." - David L., January 2025
DISCLAIMER: This guide provides general information based on data available at time of publication. Border regulations, requirements, and procedures may change without notice. Always verify current information with official government sources before travel. BorderRoute.com is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information. Travel decisions and border compliance remain the sole responsibility of the traveler.
