ezbordercrossing

Guide to Crossing the US Canada Border

Portal / North Portal Border Crossing

Located on U.S. Highway 52 and Saskatchewan 39.

This is one of only three 24-hour border crossings in North Dakota and is the second most heavily traveled auto and trucking portal in the state. It frequently experiences significant delays. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection processes more than 100,000 southbound cars and more than 100,000 trucks each year. Saskatchewan Highway 39, which links Estevan with the city of Regina, is a heavy truck corridor with large semi-trailer trucks including massive oil field and coal company vehicles.

Before heading to the border, be sure to review our pages on preparing for customs and prohibited items.

North Portal Upgrade to bi-level inspection station.
CBSA Inspection Station at North Portal

Current Traffic and Road Conditions for the Portal / North Portal Border Crossing

Always check our page with current traffic, road conditions, and border wait times to see what’s happening right now at the Sweetgrass Coutts border crossing.

Portal Port Information

  • Hours of Operation – Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
  • FAST equipped.
  • The U.S. port has three car and three commercial vehicle processing lanes, plus two additional car lanes that can be opened during heavy traffic periods. This is also a U.S. Free and Secure Trade (FAST) enrollment center.
  • We have heard from a knowledgeable traveler that traffic flow at the U.S. port is awkward. The port is inside a fenced compound, and once you are cleared through customs and immigration, you receive a cardboard ticket like you would at a parking lot or garage. You then proceed to the exit and insert the card into the machine to be allowed out.
  • The Canadian port at North Portal was improved in 2021 with 3 bi-level reconfigurable lanes that can handle either standard or commercial traffic.
  • Portal Border Crossing GPS Coordinates: 48.999007, -102.55234

Map of Portal Border Crossing Area

To view Current Traffic Conditions at this border crossing, select “View Larger Map” and turn on the traffic layer.

Portal Customs and Border Crossing Travel Tips

  • Here is a handy link to hotels in North Dakota, US and here is another link to hotels on the Canadian side of the port in Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • One reader has suggested an alternative to using this port depending on the time of day. His advice is to cross the border at the Noonan, ND/Estevan, SK port. This route is longer and adds 7.1 miles/11.4 km to your trip, but the port clearance is often much quicker.
    • The route: If you are traveling from the US, highway US-52 to Portal/North Portal takes a hard right turn south of the port. If one continues straight west, the highway continues as ND-5. Turn right at Noonan to the port of Estevan. Continue along SK-47 to the city of Estevan. At this point, you can resume travel on SK-39 (the highway from North Portal) or continue north on SK-47 or west on SK-18. If you are traveling from Canada, instead of proceeding SE on SK-39 from Estevan, go south on SK-47 instead. Proceed through the port at Noonan, ND, then proceed south until the intersection with ND 5. Proceed east. This highway becomes US-52 at Lignite (south of the port of Portal).
  • Saskatchewan has a voice Highway Hot line which you can reach by calling 306-933-8333, or toll-free in Canada by calling 888-335-7623.
  • North Dakota utilizes the 511 Traveler Information system where you can receive up-to-date, location-specific road and weather information on any highway in North Dakota. You simply dial “511″ from any phone to reach this system. You can also call 866-MYSD511 (866-697-3511).
    • Winter Road Reports are issued via the 511 system at various intervals between 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM daily, typically from November through mid-April. They are issued more frequently during severe weather events.
    • Summer Road Reports are issued mid-April through October on the 511 system once daily, or more often if conditions warrant.
  • SK-39 is a 2 lane, undivided highway.
  • Border Duty Free Shop: 701-926-3661.

Telephone Numbers for the Border Customs Offices at Portal / North Portal