Border Approximate Location
Border Countries
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada
Nearest Cities
🇺🇸 Sweetgrass, MT, 🇨🇦 Coutts, AB
Coordinates
48.95°N, 111.95°W
Border Type
Land crossing via road
Operating Hours
Open 24 hours
Wait Times
15-60 min for pedestrians/vehicles
Peak Times
Mornings (7-10 AM), weekends
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, vehicles, commercial
Daily Crossings
~4000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
English
Currency Exchange
Available near Sweetgrass (USD, CAD)
Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi at checkpoints, 4G/5G
Accessibility Features
Ramps, elevators
Safety Information
Generally safe, busy traffic
Emergency Contacts
🇺🇸 911 🇨🇦 911
Google Maps Location Approx
Country Information
About AB & MT & 🇨🇦 Coutts & 🇺🇸 Sweetgrass
General Overview
Spanning the vast prairies, the Coutts, AB – Sweetgrass, MT border connects Alberta’s Highway 4 with Montana’s Interstate 15, linking the tiny village of Coutts with Sweetgrass. As Alberta’s busiest U.S. crossing, this 24/7 port is a lifeline for trucks along the Ports-to-Plains corridor and tourists exploring Alberta’s badlands or Montana’s plains. Its open landscapes, dotted with grazing antelope, offer a stark, beautiful backdrop to a bustling trade route.
Historical and Geopolitical Context
Rooted in the 1846 Oregon Treaty, this border facilitated cattle and grain trade since the 1880s. The 1890 customs office in Coutts, initially a train station room, marked its start, with a modern facility built in 2010. Handling CA$6 billion in trade annually, it’s crucial for agriculture and energy goods. In 2022, trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions blocked the crossing, and 2025 saw tightened Canadian smuggling checks, causing delays, especially for trucks. The Blackfeet and Blood Tribe’s cross-border ties add cultural depth, with powwows fostering community. Check news for disruptions, as protests or inspections can snarl operations.
Crossing Procedures and Wait Times
Open 24/7, the border handles heavy truck and moderate tourist traffic, with waits of 15-60 minutes during peak hours (midday, weekdays). U.S. immigration at 39825 Interstate 15 in Sweetgrass processes exit stamps; Canadian immigration in Coutts, a short drive north, handles entry. Most nationalities (e.g., Europeans, Australians) get a 90-day visa-free stamp for Canada; U.S. entry requires a passport or NEXUS card. Carry your passport, vehicle registration, and insurance. NEXUS lanes into Canada operate weekdays (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, except holidays); U.S.-bound lanes run daily. English is widely spoken. Check wait times via U.S. Customs (406-335-9610) or Canada Border Services Agency websites. Aquatic craft entering Alberta require inspection for invasive species, ensuring boats are clean, dry, and drained.
Scam Awareness
Scams include money changers near duty-free shops offering poor rates; use ATMs or banks in Sweetgrass or Coutts. Taxi drivers may overcharge (~$20-30 USD); negotiate fares upfront. Unofficial “customs helpers” may promise faster processing—avoid them, as this crossing is efficient. Duty-free shops—Sweetgrass Duty Free Americas (406-335-2800, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM) and Coutts Duty Free (403-344-3000, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM)—are legitimate, but compare prices. Reddit users in 2024 noted U.S. agents checking northbound travelers, possibly for fugitives, so stay alert for unusual checks. Unofficial vendors may sell “tax-free” goods; stick to verified shops to avoid scams.
Transportation Options
No public buses cross directly; taxis (~$25 USD) or private cars take 5-10 minutes between Sweetgrass and Coutts via six northbound lanes. From Coutts, buses to Lethbridge (1.5 hours, ~CAD 40) link to Calgary and Edmonton via Highway 4’s four lanes. In Sweetgrass, buses to Great Falls (2 hours, ~$30 USD) are infrequent—check schedules locally. Pedestrians can cross, but the prairie’s lack of amenities and 2-3 km between towns make vehicles preferable. Roads are paved, with expansive grassland views. Winter ice can slow travel; check Montana’s 511 (800-226-7623) or Alberta’s 511 (1-855-391-9743). Highway 4’s traffic camera near Coutts offers live updates, and the route’s open vistas are a highlight.
Nearby Attractions and Tips
Sweetgrass’ museums, like the Alberta Montana Border Museum, highlight Blackfeet history, while Coutts’ cafes serve bison burgers and homemade pies. Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, 38 km east, offers indigenous rock art, hiking, and kayaking—book tours via Lethbridge operators for reliability. The Galt Historic Railway Park in Stirling, 40 km north, showcases the 1890 narrow-gauge railway, a nod to the border’s trade roots. Glacier National Park, 150 km south, offers stunning hikes. Carry USD or CAD, as ATMs are scarce in Coutts, and small businesses prefer cash. Stay in Sweetgrass for I-15 motels or Gold Springs Campground for a rustic experience. A Canadian SIM card ensures connectivity, as U.S. signals fade north. Visit local diners for poutine or explore seasonal farmers’ markets in Lethbridge.
Seasonal and Weather Considerations
Summer (June-August) brings warm weather (20-28°C) and moderate tourism, with waits up to 45 minutes on weekends. Winter (December-March) delivers snow (-15 to 0°C) and icy roads, requiring winter tires; check 511 services for conditions. Spring and fall are quieter but windy, so secure loose items. Peak holidays, like Canada Day or U.S. Independence Day, increase traffic, so cross early to avoid delays. Summer powwows may draw local crowds, adding to the crossing’s vibrancy.
Planning Your Crossing
Bring a passport or NEXUS card, vehicle documents, and cash for small transactions. Ensure aquatic craft meet Alberta’s invasive species rules. Use official transport, check wait times online or via traffic cameras, and avoid unofficial vendors. This crossing connects Alberta’s prairies with Montana’s plains, blending robust trade with wide-open adventure.