Monitor Bellingham Traffic in Real-Time
Access 250+ live traffic cameras across Bellingham and Whatcom County — where I-5 meets the Canadian border and SR-542 climbs to Mt. Baker. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout downtown Bellingham and the college district. Monitor border crossing wait times, check mountain pass conditions before skiing, and track I-5 conditions between Seattle and Vancouver with real-time camera intelligence.
VIEW BELLINGHAM CAMERAS →Camera Coverage
I-5 Corridor
100+ cameras covering Exits 250-276, from downtown Bellingham to Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings. Monitor cross-border traffic, downtown access, and commercial corridors.
SR-542 Mt. Baker Highway
60+ cameras along the mountain highway from Bellingham to Artist Point. Essential for checking ski area access, chain requirements, and visibility before heading into the mountains.
Canadian Border Crossings
50+ cameras at Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden/Aldergrove, and Sumas crossings. Compare wait times and choose the fastest route into Canada.
Downtown & Local Routes
40+ cameras covering Lakeway Drive, Holly/Railroad, State/Cornwall, Guide Meridian, and residential connector roads throughout Bellingham.
Bellingham occupies a unique position as the last major American city before the Canadian border, making it both a college town (Western Washington University) and an international transit hub. The convergence of I-5 traffic, Canadian border crossings, and mountain recreation routes creates diverse traffic patterns that shift dramatically by season. Users can also monitor live street feeds along Lakeway Drive and Holly Street to check for road-level gridlock near Western Washington University or local shopping centers.
I-5: Seattle to Canada
I-5 through Bellingham carries traffic between Seattle/Everett to the south and the Canadian border crossings to the north. According to regional traffic studies, the 10-mile stretch of I-5 between Old Fairhaven Parkway and Slater Road experienced over 200 crashes in 2024, averaging 23 accidents per month with a heavy concentration during the afternoon peak. Cross-border traffic creates unique patterns — Canadian shoppers heading south on weekends, American travelers heading to Vancouver, and commercial trucks moving goods between the two countries.
I-5 Key Segments
- Exit 253 (Lakeway Drive) — Primary downtown Bellingham access
- Exit 256 (Iowa Street) — Western Washington University, residential areas
- Exit 262 (Guide Meridian) — Commercial corridor, retail traffic
- Exit 274-276 (Border) — Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings
Check I-5 Border Conditions
See real-time conditions at Canadian border crossings and along I-5.
VIEW BELLINGHAM CAMERAS →Canadian Border Crossings
Border Crossing Guide
- Peace Arch (I-5): Busiest crossing, passenger vehicles only, NEXUS lane available
- Wait Times: Typical waits range from 10 to 30 minutes, but can exceed 2 hours during peak holiday weekends
- Pacific Highway (SR-543): Adjacent to Peace Arch, handles commercial trucks and overflow
- Lynden/Aldergrove: Less busy alternative, 15 min east, good for avoiding main crossing delays
- Sumas: Easternmost option, least traffic, connects to Trans-Canada Highway
- Peak times: Friday evenings northbound, Sunday afternoons southbound, all holiday weekends
- Canadian long weekends (Victoria Day, Canada Day, BC Day) create heavy southbound shopping traffic
SR-542: The Mt. Baker Highway
SR-542 to Mt. Baker climbs from sea level to over 5,000 feet. Winter conditions include chain requirements, full closures during storms, and avalanche danger zones. The road to Artist Point (mile 57) is seasonal — typically open only July through September. Always check cameras before heading into the mountains, especially during ski season.
Check Mountain Conditions
Monitor SR-542 camera feeds before heading to Mt. Baker Ski Area.
CHECK CONDITIONS →Traffic Patterns
Rush hours: Morning 7:30-9:00 AM (I-5 southbound). Evening 4:30-6:00 PM (I-5 northbound). Safety Data: In 2023, Bellingham city limits saw four traffic fatalities and a 10-year low in total crashes, according to local safety reports. Border traffic peaks Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and all holiday weekends — both US and Canadian holidays. Ski season (December-April) creates heavy SR-542 traffic on weekend mornings.
About the Platform
TrafficVision.Live provides free access to 250+ live cameras throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County. Aggregates feeds from WSDOT and border crossing cameras. Part of 135,000+ live feeds from 600+ sources worldwide.
Related Guides
How many traffic cameras does Bellingham have?
TrafficVision.Live provides access to over 250 cameras throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County, covering I-5, SR-542 to Mt. Baker, all Canadian border crossings, and downtown routes.
Can I check Canadian border wait times with cameras?
Yes. Cameras at Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden/Aldergrove, and Sumas crossings show real-time conditions and queue lengths, helping you choose the shortest wait.
Are Bellingham traffic cameras free?
Yes, all cameras on TrafficVision.Live are completely free. These are publicly maintained cameras from WSDOT and border monitoring systems.
When is the best time to cross the Canadian border?
Early weekday mornings (before 8 AM) and mid-week generally have shortest waits. Avoid Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and all holiday weekends. Consider Lynden or Sumas crossings as less-busy alternatives to Peace Arch.
Can I check Mt. Baker road conditions?
Yes. SR-542 cameras show conditions from Bellingham through the mountain corridor. Essential during ski season for checking chain requirements, closures, and visibility. The road to Artist Point is seasonal (typically July-September only).
Where can I find Bellingham street feeds?
You can find live Bellingham street feeds and intersection cameras by using our interactive map, which aggregates WSDOT and city data for major surface routes like Guide Meridian and State Street.
Start Monitoring Bellingham Traffic Now
Access 250+ live cameras covering I-5, the Canadian border, and city street feeds instantly.
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