Thanksgiving Border Crossing Guide 2025:
Navigate the Busiest Travel Week of the Year

Thanksgiving week transforms routine border crossings into marathon waits and heightened enforcement. Understanding what’s different during peak holiday travel helps you plan effectively and cross efficiently.

The holiday travel season is approaching. SafelyArrived helps eliminate stress by automatically notifying your family and friends when you’ve crossed the border safely or cleared customs & immigration at the airport.

What Makes Thanksgiving Border Crossings Different

Thanksgiving isn’t just busy—it’s the single busiest travel period of the entire year for North American border crossings.

The Numbers Tell the Story:

Normal weekday crossing: 30-60 minute wait
Thanksgiving Wednesday: 3-5 hour wait (or longer)
Volume increase: 200-400% more vehicles than typical days
Enhanced scrutiny: Every vehicle receives thorough inspection
Staff increases: CBP adds officers, but volume still overwhelms capacity

Why It’s So Much Worse:

Concentrated travel window – Everyone traveling within 48-hour period
Family reunions – Multi-generational groups with complex documentation
Food transportation – Massive increase in prohibited items and declarations
First-time travelers – College students and infrequent travelers unfamiliar with procedures
Weather complications – Late November weather adds delays
Extended inspections – Officers take extra time during peak periods
Bottom line: Thanksgiving border crossings require different strategies than normal travel.

2025 Thanksgiving Travel Dates

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27, 2025

Peak Traffic Days (AVOID if possible):

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – THE WORST DAY

Afternoon/evening absolutely brutal (12pm-8pm)
Wait times: 3-6+ hours at major crossings
All crossings overwhelmed simultaneously

Sunday, November 30, 2025 – SECOND WORST DAY

Return travel equally chaotic
Afternoon/evening worst (2pm-10pm)
Wait times: 2-5+ hours

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – Increasingly Busy

Afternoon starts getting congested
Still better than Wednesday

Thursday, November 27, 2025 – Thanksgiving Day

Surprisingly busy for early crossings
Many people travel morning of Thanksgiving
Reduced staffing at some crossings

Best Travel Times:

Tuesday, November 25 – Early morning (6am-10am)
Monday, November 24 – Anytime
Monday, December 1 – Return travel after peak
Friday, November 28 – Black Friday (people shopping, not traveling)
Saturday, November 29 – Early morning only
Strategy: If you can shift your travel by even 24 hours, you save literal hours of waiting.

Enhanced Inspection Procedures During Thanksgiving

What Changes During Peak Season:

Primary Inspection:

Normal: Quick document check, basic questions
Thanksgiving: Thorough document review, detailed questioning about visit purpose and duration

Food Declarations:

Normal: Occasional agricultural inspections
Thanksgiving: EVERY vehicle with food receives agricultural inspection
Turkey, pies, traditional dishes receive intense scrutiny

Secondary Inspections:

Normal: 5-10% of vehicles
Thanksgiving: 15-25% of vehicles sent to secondary
Reason: Insufficient food declarations, documentation issues, random selection

Vehicle Searches:

Normal: Rare without cause
Thanksgiving: More frequent searches of trunks and cargo areas
Reason: Food transportation violations, gift transportation

Why Officers Are More Strict:

It’s not personal—it’s volume and risk management:

Higher violation rates during holidays (mostly food-related)
More first-time crossers who don’t know rules
Increased agricultural risk from food transportation
Security concerns during high-volume periods
Documentation errors from rushed/unprepared travelers

Expect thorough inspections. Plan extra time. Have everything ready.

Thanksgiving Food Declaration Rules

This is where most Thanksgiving travelers fail. ALL food must be declared, even if you think it’s allowed.

Common Thanksgiving Foods – Can You Bring Them?

✅ GENERALLY ALLOWED (Must be declared):

Baked Goods:

Pies (pumpkin, apple, pecan) – YES
Cakes and cookies – YES
Bread and rolls – YES

Prepared Foods:

Cooked turkey (fully cooked, no raw parts) – USUALLY YES (Canada→US)
Mashed potatoes – YES
Cranberry sauce (canned/jarred) – YES
Stuffing/dressing – YES

Shelf-Stable Items:

Canned goods – YES
Jarred preserves – YES
Packaged snacks – YES

❌ PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED:

Raw/Fresh Meats:

Raw turkey – NO
Fresh ham – NO
Uncooked sausages – NO

Fresh Produce:

Fresh vegetables – MOSTLY NO (depends on origin/type)
Fresh fruits – MOSTLY NO
Fresh herbs – RESTRICTED

Dairy Products:

Soft cheeses – RESTRICTED
Unpasteurized dairy – NO
Fresh milk – RESTRICTED

Live/Raw:

Fresh eggs – RESTRICTED
Live plants – NO
Seeds – RESTRICTED

Direction Matters:

Canada → United States:

Generally more permissive with cooked foods
Strict on fresh produce and raw meats
Canadian agricultural products face fewer restrictions

United States → Canada:

Similar restrictions on fresh produce
Strict quantity limits on some items
Different rules for processed vs. fresh

Mexico crossings have different rules – research specific to your crossing point.

How to Properly Declare Food:

Make a list before you pack – Know exactly what food you’re carrying
Declare EVERYTHING – Even if you think it’s allowed
Be specific – “Thanksgiving dinner items” is insufficient
Have receipts – Helps prove commercial preparation/origin
Pack accessibly – Officers may want to inspect items

Example Declaration: “We have a cooked turkey, two pumpkin pies, a container of cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. All prepared at home in Toronto.”

Penalties for Non-Declaration:

First offense: $300-500 fine (minimum)
Serious violations: $1,000-10,000+ fines
All undeclared food: Confiscated and destroyed
Future crossings: Flagged for additional scrutiny
Worst case: Denial of entry, prosecution

Don’t risk it. When in doubt, declare it.

Documentation Checklist for Thanksgiving Travel

Required for ALL Travelers:

U.S. Citizens:

Valid passport OR passport card OR enhanced driver’s license
Children need their own documentation (passport or birth certificate + ID)

Canadian Citizens:

Valid passport
Enhanced driver’s license (for land crossings only)
Children need proper documentation

Permanent Residents:

Valid passport from country of citizenship
Valid green card (U.S.) or PR card (Canada)

Students (International or Study Permit):

Valid passport
Valid study permit/visa
Letter from university (recommended)
Proof of enrollment

Visitors:

Valid passport
Valid visa (if required)
Proof of ties to home country
Return travel documentation

Additional Thanksgiving-Specific Documents:

Vehicle insurance proof (showing cross-border coverage)
Vehicle registration
Rental car agreement (if applicable) with cross-border permission
Food receipts (if carrying significant food quantities)
Gift receipts (if carrying valuable items)
Invitation letter (if visiting family – helps establish purpose)
Return travel confirmation (flight/bus tickets)

Family Travel Documentation:

Traveling with children:

Each child needs proper ID
Birth certificates for children under 16
Parental consent letter if traveling without both parents
Adoption papers (if applicable)
Court orders (if custody issues exist)

Multi-generational travel:

Ensure elderly relatives have current documentation
Medical documentation if health issues might cause delays
Power of attorney documents (if applicable)

College students:

Valid study permit with school information
University letter stating enrollment status
Proof of residence at university
Return plans/documentation

Strategic Timing for Thanksgiving Crossings

Hour-by-Hour Traffic Patterns

Wednesday, November 26 (Worst Day):

6am-10am: Moderate (still busy, but manageable)
10am-12pm: Heavy (increasing rapidly)
12pm-3pm: SEVERE (peak chaos begins)
3pm-7pm: EXTREME (absolute worst time)
7pm-10pm: Very Heavy (slightly improving)
10pm-2am: Moderate (best option if traveling Wednesday)

Strategy: If you MUST travel Wednesday, leave by 7am or after 10pm.

Sunday, November 30 (Second Worst Day):

6am-10am: Light-Moderate (best window)
10am-2pm: Moderate-Heavy
2pm-6pm: SEVERE (return traffic peak)
6pm-9pm: Very Heavy
9pm-12am: Moderate

Strategy: Early morning Sunday is your best bet for return travel.

Alternative Days:

Tuesday, November 25:

Best time: 6am-11am
Avoid: After 3pm (building toward Wednesday chaos)

Monday, November 24:

Generally good all day
Best: Morning hours

Monday, December 1:

Excellent return travel day
Minimal traffic all day

Friday, November 28 (Black Friday):

Surprisingly light for crossings
People shopping, not traveling
Good option if you’re flexible

Border Crossing Selection Strategy

Major Crossing Points – Thanksgiving Considerations:

High-Volume Crossings (Expect Worst Delays):

Detroit-Windsor (Ambassador Bridge, Tunnel)
Buffalo-Fort Erie (Peace Bridge)
Niagara Falls crossings (Rainbow, Whirlpool, Lewiston-Queenston)
Blaine-Surrey (Pacific Highway, Peace Arch)

Strategy for high-volume crossings:

Add 2-4 hours to normal crossing time
Check real-time wait times constantly
Consider alternative crossings if flexible

Medium-Volume Crossings (Better Options):

Thousand Islands Bridge
Ogdensburg-Prescott
Sault Ste. Marie
Cornwall-Massena

Strategy:

Still busy during Thanksgiving, but better than major crossings
Worth extra driving time to avoid major crossing chaos

Lower-Volume Crossings:

Rural crossings with limited hours
Often 1-2 hour better wait times than major crossings
Warning: Some have reduced Thanksgiving hours – verify before traveling

Real-Time Wait Time Resources:

Official Sources:

CBP Border Wait Times App (Download before travel)
CBP.gov/bwt (Web-based wait times)
CBSA Border Wait Times (Canada Border Services)

Third-Party Resources:

Traffic apps (Waze, Google Maps) for approach routes
Local news traffic reports
Social media (real traveler updates)

Strategy:

Check wait times 2 hours before departure
Check again 30 minutes before arrival at border
Have alternative crossing plans ready

Vehicle Preparation for Thanksgiving Crossing

Pre-Crossing Vehicle Checklist:

Documentation:

Vehicle registration in glove compartment
Insurance proof with cross-border coverage
Rental agreement (if applicable) with explicit cross-border permission

Vehicle Condition:

Full tank of gas (stations near border are price-gouged)
Winter weather preparation (late November can be snowy)
Emergency kit (water, snacks, blankets, first aid)
Phone charger and backup battery
Entertainment for passengers (long waits guaranteed)

Organization:

All food easily accessible for inspection
Trunk/cargo area organized (may be searched)
Gifts unwrapped (if carrying presents)
Important documents in easily reachable location
Trash removed (professional appearance matters)

Inside Vehicle During Wait:

Do: ✓ Stay patient and calm ✓ Have music/podcasts ready ✓ Keep children entertained ✓ Stay hydrated with water ✓ Use bathroom before getting in line (no leaving once in queue)

Don’t: ✗ Consume alcohol while waiting ✗ Use aggressive driving to change lanes ✗ Leave vehicle unattended in line ✗ Ignore officers’ instructions ✗ Display frustration or anger

At the Border: Inspection Best Practices

Primary Inspection Window:

What Officers Are Looking For:

Valid documentation
Truthful answers to questions
Proper declarations
No prohibited items
No suspicious behavior

Common Questions:

“Where are you going?”
“How long will you be staying?”
“What is the purpose of your visit?”
“Are you bringing any food, gifts, or purchases?”
“Where do you live/work/go to school?”
“When are you returning?”

How to Answer:

Brief and direct – Don’t over-explain
Truthful – Lies = serious consequences
Confident – Uncertainty raises suspicion
Relevant – Answer the question asked
Respectful – Courtesy matters

Example Good Answers:

“Visiting family in Buffalo for Thanksgiving, returning Sunday.”
“I’m a student at University of Toronto, going home to Michigan for the holiday.”
“Yes, we have a cooked turkey and two pies. Everything is declared.”

Example Poor Answers:

“Well, we’re going to my aunt’s house, but we might also visit friends, and…” (Too much information)
“Just visiting.” (Insufficient detail)
“I don’t know, my friend is driving.” (Lack of knowledge = red flag)

If Sent to Secondary Inspection:

Don’t panic – Secondary doesn’t mean you did something wrong. During Thanksgiving, random selections increase.

Secondary Reasons:

Random selection (very common during holidays)
Documentation verification needed
Food inspection required
First-time traveler (common for students)
Minor discrepancy needs clarification

What Happens in Secondary:

Park where directed
Take ALL documents with you
Wait inside secondary facility
Answer additional questions
May have vehicle searched
Can take 30 minutes to 2+ hours

Secondary Best Practices:

Bring documents inside (passport, registration, insurance)
Be patient – it’s first-come, first-served
Answer questions clearly
Don’t volunteer unnecessary information
Stay calm and respectful

Family Travel Coordination

Multi-Generational Thanksgiving Travel:

Challenges:

Different documentation for different ages
Elderly relatives with mobility issues
Children requiring bathroom breaks
Multiple vehicles coordinating
Different arrival times

Solutions:

Before Travel:

Verify everyone’s documentation weeks in advance
Assign “document coordinator” to check everything
Plan carpool logistics carefully
Establish communication plan for separated vehicles
Have backup meeting point if vehicles separated

During Travel:

Use group messaging for real-time coordination
Lead vehicle makes decisions, others follow
Plan bathroom breaks BEFORE joining border queue
Keep elderly/children comfortable during long waits
Have snacks and entertainment ready

At Border:

All vehicles present same story if asked
Don’t contradict each other in answers
Have senior family members’ documents easily accessible
Children stay calm and quiet during inspection
Reconvene at predetermined meeting point after crossing

College Students – First Solo Thanksgiving Crossing:

Special Considerations:

You’re likely traveling without parents for the first time. Officers know this and may ask additional questions.

Be Prepared For:

“Where do you go to school?”
“What are you studying?”
“When did you last cross the border?”
“When are you returning to school?”
“Do your parents know you’re traveling?”

Have Ready:

University ID
Study permit (if international student)
Proof of enrollment
Return travel plans
Contact information for family you’re visiting

Common Student Mistakes:

Insufficient documentation
Vague answers about study/travel plans
Not declaring food from home
Expired study permits
No proof of return to university

Student Success Strategy:

Professional appearance (yes, it matters)
Clear, confident answers
All documentation organized
Declared everything
Return plans clearly established

Weather and Emergency Contingencies

Late November Weather Risks:

Potential Conditions:

Snow/ice storms
Freezing rain
Reduced visibility
Road closures
Border crossing hour reductions

Weather Monitoring:

Check forecast 7 days before travel
Monitor daily as travel approaches
Check road conditions day of travel
Have weather apps with alerts
Know alternative routes if primary is closed

Emergency Preparation:

Vehicle Emergency Kit:

Blankets/warm clothing
Water and non-perishable snacks
First aid kit
Flashlight and batteries
Phone chargers (car and portable)
Ice scraper and snow brush
Jumper cables
Small shovel
Road flares or reflectors

Communication Plan:

Phone fully charged before departure
Backup battery pack
Emergency contacts programmed
SafelyArrived app for automated notifications
Know where to call for help

Backup Plans:

Alternative crossing points identified
Hotel options near border (if delay requires overnight)
Flexibility with arrival time at destination
Credit card with available credit for emergencies
Tow service/roadside assistance information

Cost Considerations

Thanksgiving Travel Budget:

Factor in these additional costs:

Fuel:

Premium pricing near border
Extra gas from sitting in traffic ($20-40 extra)

Time Value:

Lost wages if missing work
Missed connections/rebooking fees
Accommodation if delayed overnight ($100-200)

Food/Supplies:

Snacks and drinks for long wait ($30-50)
Meals if delayed ($50-100)

Unexpected:

Fines for incorrect declarations ($300-500)
Vehicle issues from long idling ($?)
Emergency accommodation ($100-200)

Money-Saving Strategies:

Travel off-peak days (save time = save money)
Pack food/drinks (don’t buy at border)
Carpool to split fuel costs
Book accommodation in advance (if needed)
Declare everything correctly (avoid fines)

Technology and Apps for Thanksgiving Crossing

Essential Apps:

CBP Border Wait Times

Real-time wait times for all crossings
Updates every few minutes
Plan crossing point selection

SafelyArrived

Automatic arrival notifications
Peace of mind for family
Emergency contact access

Weather Apps

Environment Canada Weather
Weather.com / Weather Network
Road condition monitoring

Navigation

Google Maps (traffic updates)
Waze (real-time traveler reports)
Apple Maps

Communication

WhatsApp (international calling)
Group messaging for family coordination
FaceTime/Video calls

Pre-Download Before Travel:

Offline maps (in case of poor signal)
Entertainment (music, podcasts, audiobooks)
Children’s entertainment apps/downloads
Work materials (if need to be productive during wait)

Common Thanksgiving Crossing Mistakes

Top 10 Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them):

Traveling Wednesday afternoon

❌ Mistake: “Everyone else is traveling, so should I”
✅ Solution: Travel Tuesday morning or Monday

Not declaring food

❌ Mistake: “It’s just family dinner, not commercial goods”
✅ Solution: Declare EVERYTHING, even grandma’s pie

Insufficient documentation

❌ Mistake: “I cross all the time, they know me”
✅ Solution: Bring all required documents every single time

No backup plan

❌ Mistake: “We’ll make it in time”
✅ Solution: Build 2-4 hour buffer for delays

Empty gas tank

❌ Mistake: “I’ll fill up after crossing”
✅ Solution: Full tank before joining border queue

Not checking wait times

❌ Mistake: “How bad could it be?”
✅ Solution: Real-time monitoring and flexibility

Unprepared for weather

❌ Mistake: “It’s only November”
✅ Solution: Winter emergency kit in vehicle

Poor communication with family

❌ Mistake: “They know I’m coming”
✅ Solution: Regular updates and automated notifications

Arguing with officers

❌ Mistake: “This is ridiculous, I have rights!”
✅ Solution: Respectful compliance, address issues later

No entertainment for long wait

❌ Mistake: “It won’t be that long”
✅ Solution: Downloaded content, full phone battery, snacks

Post-Crossing: Return Travel Planning

Sunday Return Travel (November 30):

Just as chaotic as Wednesday departure. Apply all the same strategies:

Best return time: Early Sunday morning (6am-9am)

Worst return time: Sunday afternoon/evening (2pm-8pm)

Alternative: Return Monday, December 1 (if flexible)

Return Crossing Considerations:

U.S. Citizens returning to U.S.:

Generally smoother than entering Canada
Still declare all purchases and food
Keep receipts for purchases over $800

Canadian Citizens returning to Canada:

Declare all purchases over exemption amount
Duty-free allowances apply (check current limits)
Gifts received count toward exemption

Students returning to university:

Have study documentation ready
Proof of university address
Clear about academic schedule

SafelyArrived: Peace of Mind for Thanksgiving Travel

Why SafelyArrived Matters During Thanksgiving:

The Problem:

Family worries during long border waits
“Did they make it?” anxiety for hours
Manual check-ins difficult during crossing
No easy way to confirm safe arrival

The Solution: SafelyArrived automatically notifies your loved ones when you’ve successfully crossed the border or cleared airport customs.

How It Works:

Set up your emergency contacts
App detects when you cross border
Automatic notification sent to your contacts
Everyone knows you’re safe—no manual check-in needed

Thanksgiving Benefits:

Family stops worrying during long waits
No need to text while driving/crossing
Notification of safe crossing
Emergency contacts are immediately accessible if needed
One less thing to think about during stressful travel

Download SafelyArrived | Learn More

Quick Reference: Thanksgiving Crossing Checklist

Week Before (November 17-23):

Verify all travel documents current
Check vehicle insurance for cross-border coverage
Monitor weather forecasts
Download CBP Wait Times and SafelyArrived apps
Make list of all food items bringing
Confirm accommodation reservations
Vehicle maintenance check

48 Hours Before (November 24-25):

Check real-time border wait times
Monitor weather conditions
Fill gas tank
Prepare emergency kit
Charge all devices
Pack entertainment for wait
Review documentation one final time

Day of Travel:

Check wait times before leaving
Final weather check
Ensure all documents accessible
Food properly packed and list ready
Phone charged, backup battery ready
Notify family of departure
Stay patient and flexible

Final Thanksgiving Travel Wisdom

The bottom line on Thanksgiving border crossings:

It’s going to be busy. Wait times will be long. Inspections will be thorough. Weather might be challenging. These are constants.

What you can control: ✓ When you travel (avoid Wednesday/Sunday peaks) ✓ How prepared you are (documentation, declarations, supplies) ✓ Your attitude (patience and respect go far) ✓ Communication with family (automated notifications) ✓ Backup plans (weather, delays, alternatives)

What makes the difference:

Prepared travelers with realistic expectations have smooth crossings. Unprepared travelers who thought “it won’t be that bad” create problems for themselves and everyone behind them.

This Thanksgiving, be the prepared traveler.

Start planning now. Not the week before. Not the day before. Now.

Related Holiday Travel Resources:

Have Questions About Thanksgiving Border Crossings?

Every situation is unique. While this guide covers the vast majority of scenarios, you may have specific questions about your Thanksgiving travel plans.

General border crossing questions: Contact CBP (U.S.) or CBSA (Canada) directly

SafelyArrived questions: Contact our support team at 978-660-4197.

Travel documentation: Consult official government resources

Safe travels this Thanksgiving. See you on the other side of the border.