If you drive further out of Vancouver on the #1 highway, you can turn off at Exit 256 (Aldergrove) or the Sumas Way exit (Abbotsford) ...you'll have only a 20 minute Max wait. Its the same distance because the #1 swerves downward south as you travel, so makes the drive towards Bellingham shorter.

If you aren't driving your own personal car, make sure the rental car agency knows of your plans to drive it across the border.

If you are picking up the car in Seattle, this may not be an issue. If you are driving a rental from Texas, it might be.

I usually give this advice, but currently highway 1 around the Port Mann bridge is a total gong show, due to all the highway construction. I realize it's not bad every day, but as it's impossible to keep track of it all I just suggest people avoid it for now.