International Shipping Timeline — Canada to USA
Ground, ocean, and air freight transit times for every major Canada–USA moving route — so you can plan your move with accurate expectations.
Transit Times by Route & Mode
Times shown are door-to-door estimates under normal conditions. Customs processing, weather delays, and vessel schedules can affect ocean freight timelines.
Route
Mode
Transit Time
Notes
Vancouver → Seattle / Western WA
Ground
Same day – 1 day
Pacific Highway or Peace Arch crossing. Most shipments arrive same afternoon.
Vancouver → Los Angeles / CA
Ground
2–3 days
Pacific Highway → I-5 south → I-10 east. Consistent transit.
Vancouver → Los Angeles / CA
Ocean LCL
8–14 days
Port of Vancouver → Port of LA/Long Beach. Add 2–3 days inland delivery.
Calgary → Phoenix / AZ
Ground
2–3 days
Coutts/Sweetgrass MT → I-15 south. Direct Prairie route.
Calgary → Seattle / WA
Ground
2–3 days
Coutts/Sweetgrass MT → I-15 north.
Toronto → New York City
Ground
1–2 days
Peace Bridge or Queenston–Lewiston → I-90/I-87. Fastest Eastern route.
Toronto → Miami / FL
Ground
3–4 days
Ambassador Bridge or Peace Bridge → I-75/I-95 south.
Toronto → Houston / TX
Ground
3–5 days
Ambassador Bridge → I-75 south → I-20 west.
Montreal → New York City
Ground
1 day
Lacolle–Champlain → I-87 south. Fastest ground route to NYC from Canada.
Montreal → New York City
Ocean LCL
5–8 days
Port of Montreal → Port of NY/Newark. One of Canada’s shortest ocean lanes.
Ottawa → New York City
Ground
1–2 days
Thousand Islands Bridge → I-81 south.
Winnipeg → Chicago / IL
Ground
2–3 days
Emerson/Pembina ND → US-29 south → Chicago.
Any Canadian City
Ocean FCL
+2–5 days (port)
US CBP clearance at destination port after vessel arrival.
Any Canadian City
Air Freight
1–2 business days
From YVR, YYZ, YYC, YEG, YUL to any US major airport.
Suggested Move Timeline — Planning Backwards from Move Day
8–12 Weeks Out
Book Enveo. Complete home survey. Confirm US destination and move date.
6–8 Weeks Out
Declutter. Begin CRA departure paperwork. Sort US health insurance.
4 Weeks Out
Confirm ocean container booking (if FCL/LCL). Confirm US delivery address access.
1–2 Weeks Out
Review and sign customs documents with Enveo. Confirm packing day access and truck parking.
Move Day
Enveo packs and loads. Goods dispatched. CBSA export declared. US CBP import filed.
What Affects Your Move Timeline?
Border Crossing Volume
Major crossings (Pacific Highway, Peace Bridge, Ambassador Bridge) process thousands of commercial trucks daily. CBSA and US CBP processing is typically fast when documentation is complete — 1–4 hours for most ground freight.
US CBP Customs Clearance
Ocean freight shipments must clear US CBP at the destination port after vessel arrival. This typically takes 2–5 business days. Complete documentation filed in advance by Enveo brokers significantly reduces clearance time.
Vessel Sailing Schedules
Ocean freight is subject to vessel departure schedules — sailings from Port of Vancouver and Port of Montreal typically depart weekly on main lanes. A missed cut-off date means waiting for the next departure.
Ready to Move? Get Your Free Quote Today
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. provides free, no-obligation moving quotes from all major Canadian cities to all 50 US states and worldwide. One all-inclusive price — no hidden fees.
Serving Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax and all major Canadian cities.
