Traveling from US to Canada by car: Requirements

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or heading to Canada for business, you can cross the border from the US by car. It can be faster and cheaper than flying, especially if you live in a nearby state.

Most of the time, US citizens and residents just need their passports to cross the border. The process is generally quick and hassle-free, but there are still a few important things that you need to know to prepare for your trip. Here's what they are.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

Learn more 🔎

Table of contents
What documents do I need to travel to Canada by car? Traveling to Canada with children Are there any fees to travel to Canada by car? What can I bring into Canada by car from the US? How to prepare to cross the US-Canada border Spend like a local in Canada with the Wise Account What do I need to cross back into the US from Canada by car? Traveling to Canada by car: FAQs

What documents do I need to travel to Canada by car?

The most important document you'll need to travel from the US to Canada by car is a valid ID. For most people, this means a passport.

If you're a US citizen, you'll need at least 1 of the following:¹
Passport (the most widely accepted option) Birth certificate Certificate of citizenship or naturalization Certificate of Indian status along with photo identification

While these other options (like a birth certificate) exist, the Government of Canada website explicitly warns that "A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document when abroad," so that's the best thing to have with you.¹

If you're a US permanent resident, you'll typically need both proof of citizenship (your passport) and proof of your US status (such as a Green Card). But if you're entering Canada directly from the US, your Green Card alone will be enough.¹

Beyond ID requirements, make sure you have your standard driving paperwork ready.

Your US driver's license works fine in Canada as long as you're just visiting (US citizens can stay for up to 180 days).² Bring your car registration and proof of insurance too, because border officers may ask to see these documents.

US citizens and permanent residents typically don't need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) when driving to Canada from the US.

Traveling to Canada with children

You'll need some additional paperwork if you're driving with children or minors.

Always carry copies of legal custody documents if they apply to your situation, and make sure you arrive at the border in the same vehicle as any minors you're traveling with.

You'll also need a consent letter if you share custody with someone who isn't traveling with you, or if you're not the child's parent or legal guardian. This letter must include the full name, address, and phone number of the custodial parents or legal guardians.¹

Are there any fees to travel to Canada by car?

No, there's no entry fee for crossing the US-Canada border. It's free.

However, you might need to pay duties (special taxes) on certain items you bring with you, depending on what they are and their value. But if all you're bringing are just normal personal belongings, you most likely won't have to pay anything.

What can I bring into Canada by car from the US?

You can bring personal items that you plan to use during your trip and take back home with you. This includes belongings like your clothes, camping and sports gear, cameras, laptop, phone, and your car itself.³

You can't sell your personal items, use them for business purposes, or leave them behind in Canada. If you plan to do any of these things, you must declare your intentions and will likely need to pay duties or taxes.

Additionally, there are special rules for:

• Food, plants, animals, and pets: You must declare them, and if you don't, the border officers can seize them and impose penalties up to 1,300 CAD — This applies to any food you bring and to pets like your dog or cat³

• Alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products: You'll have to declare these items and meet the minimum age requirements to use them

• Gifts: You'll need to declare any gifts you're bringing into Canada, but you won't pay duties or taxes if they are worth less than 60 CAD³

Most regular personal belongings are fine to bring into Canada. However, there are certain restricted items or things that you'll need special permits for, including:⁴

• Firearms and weapons
• Explosives, fireworks, and ammunition
• Cannabis
• Consumer products
• Pesticides

These items are typically impossible to bring into Canada, or you'll need to secure extensive permissions.

How to prepare to cross the US-Canada border

---

Gather your documents

Organize your passport, Green Card (if applicable), driver's license, car registration, and insurance documents, and keep them together in one place. If you're traveling with children or minors, make sure you have all of the appropriate custody documents with you (including the consent letter).

Check current wait times

Border wait times depend on the crossing point, day of the week, and time of day. You can check real-time wait times online to choose the best route and timing for your crossing.

Prepare your declaration list

Make a list of everything you're bringing that needs to be declared. This includes food, plants, animals, alcohol, tobacco products, vaping products, and gifts.

If you need to bring any restricted items with you, make sure to have proper permissions in place.

Handle pet documentation

If you're traveling to Canada with pets), you'll typically need a valid rabies vaccination certificate. However, requirements vary depending on the type of animal you're bringing.

Check the specific requirements for your pet before traveling (you can do it online on the Government of Canada website).

Sort out currency exchange

You'll want some CAD for your trip, but currency exchange often comes with high fees. Banks and exchange counters typically offer unfavorable rates with high markups, so consider alternatives like Wise.

💡 Learn how to get Canadian money in the US in our full guide.

Spend like a local in Canada with the Wise Account

Withdrawing your travel money with a card once you arrive in Canada will usually get you a more favorable exchange rate compared to changing cash in the US. Choose a Wise account and multi-currency card, and you could get an even better deal on spending and withdrawals in Canada.

Wise Accounts can hold 40+ currencies and always offer the mid-market exchange rate for spending and withdrawals.

That means you can top up your Wise Account in dollars and switch to CAD as and when you need to — or have the Wise Multi-Currency Card auto-convert to the currency you need with the lowest available fee for convenience.

It’s free to open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, with no minimum balance and no monthly fee — take a look today to see how much you can save.

Get started with Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

What do I need to cross back into the US from Canada by car?

You'll need proof of citizenship or US status, such as your passport or Green Card. Just like when entering Canada, you'll also need your driver's license, car registration, and insurance documents readily available.

You'll also need to declare any goods you purchased in Canada that exceed your personal exemption limits. The US has duty-free allowances for items like alcohol, tobacco, and general merchandise, but anything over these limits may be subject to duties and taxes.

Traveling to Canada by car: FAQs

---

How many US-Canada border crossings are there?

There are more than 100 land crossings between the US and Canada.⁵ However, not all of them are always open. Many smaller crossings have limited hours or seasonal schedules.

Can a US citizen enter Canada with a driver's license?

No, a US driver's license isn't enough to cross the Canadian border. You'll need proof of citizenship (and residency, if applicable), such as your passport or a Green Card.

However, your US driver's license is valid for driving in Canada as a visitor. You don't need to get a special permit or a Canadian driving license.

What makes me ineligible to enter Canada?

Certain criminal convictions can make you inadmissible to Canada, including DUI offenses, drug-related crimes, theft, assault, and domestic violence charges.⁶ It can be hard to enter Canada if you have a criminal record.

---

It's relatively straightforward for US citizens or residents to travel from the US to Canada by car as long as you have a valid form of ID, such as your passport (or a Green Card, if applicable).

However, one aspect many travelers underestimate is currency exchange. Those markup fees can really add up and eat into your travel budget.

To spend money in Canada like a local — all with no currency exchange rate fees — use Wise.

Sources

1. Government of Canada - Travel and identification documents for entering Canada
2. US Department of State - Canada
3. Government of Canada - What visitors can bring into Canada
4. Government of Canada - Restricted and prohibited goods
5. CanadaDUIEntryLaw - USA-Canada Border Crossings
6. Canada Temporary Resident Permit Application Service - Crimes That May Make You Inadmissible to Canada

Sources checked 05/30/2025