Everything you need to know before taking a road trip to Canada
Canada on July 19 said it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens beginning on Aug. 9.
It will be the first phase of a two-step reopening process.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been fully vaccinated (14 days past the final dose) will be allowed to enter Canada for nonessential travel purposes beginning Aug. 9. Canada also said it intends to open its borders to citizens of other countries as of Sept. 7 if the pandemic doesn't worsen.
The government said it's using a "border testing surveillance program" at its air and land border crossings. Fully vaccinated travelers will not need to take a negative COVID-19 test upon entry unless they've been randomly selected to take one. You will, however, need to pack a negative test result in addition to your proof of vaccination. (More on that later.)
Canada might be a suitable option for Americans who haven't traveled during the pandemic. Because Canada is drivable from many parts of the U.S., it's an excellent option for people who want to get out of the country but aren't comfortable yet flying long distances.
Here's what you need to know about driving to a reopened Canada.
How to enter Canada from the US
There are dozens of entry points by land into Canada from the U.S. But the most visited include the Windsor-Detroit border, Buffalo-Niagara Falls; Port Huron, Michigan; Maine; and Blaine, Washington, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.
When you cross into Canada from the U.S., a border agent will ask the purpose of your trip and whether you feel well. Travelers crossing the border by land must wear a mask, bring a negative test result, use the ArriveCAN app to upload proof of vaccination and follow border crossing procedures.
What documents do you need to drive to Canada?
Driving into Canada from the U.S. is relatively simple compared to other destinations.
Travelers driving into Canada from the U.S. must have a valid I.D., such as a U.S. passport. Unlike most of the world, a passport card is also accepted on the land border. Children under 16 need only show proof of U.S. citizenship. The following forms of identification are accepted for U.S. citizens:
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport card (for land and marine travel only)
- NEXUS card
- Enhanced Driver's License (for land and marine travel only)
U.S. citizens who are members of the NEXUS program show their membership card as proof of identification when arriving in Canada by air (from the U.S.) land or sea. U.S. citizens in the FAST program can use their cards when arriving by land and sea only.
U.S. permanent residents are required to carry an electronic travel authorization (eTA) only when arriving in Canada by air. Their foreign passport must be linked to a valid eTA, and they must also travel with proof of their permanent resident status to qualify for a visa exemption.
Starting Aug. 9, fully vaccinated travelers won't need to take a negative COVID-19 test upon entry to Canada unless they've been randomly selected for testing. However, the pre-travel testing mandate remains in place even for vaccinated travelers. Travelers arriving in Canada by land or air need to take a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. Both PCR and RT-PCR tests are accepted, but antigen tests are not.
Unvaccinated children under 12 will be allowed to enter Canada but must submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN and meet all testing requirements. Travelers need to be able to provide a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation in English or French, according to the Canadian government.
Use Nexus to expedite arrival
If you're a U.S. citizen who visits Canada often, you may want to consider getting Nexus so you can also enjoy expedited customs processing there. It's a program between Canada and the United States for preapproved, low-risk travelers at designated air, land and sea ports of entry.
Nexus is 50% less expensive than Global Entry ($50 per adult and free for children under 18). However, you must enroll at a center along the Canadian border. Clearing Canadian customs and immigration can take a while, so this would save you a lot of time.
And once you have Nexus, either as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you also get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Nexus is available at 21 land locations when entering Canada. However, the Canada Border Services Agency implemented temporary lane closures that will remain in effect until "further notice."
Global Entry
If you want to expedite your entry back into the U.S., you can also get Global Entry. You can enroll upon arrival at various airports in a handful of states, plus Canada, Ireland, the Bahamas, Abu Dhabi, Aruba and Bermuda.
Global Entry cards are acceptable at land points of entry for expedited entry into the United States via the SENTRI and Nexus lanes. However, you can't use your Global Entry membership to enter Canada through the Nexus lanes.
Coming back to the U.S.
Travelers coming back to the U.S. from Canada by land aren't required to have a negative COVID-19 test. However, travelers flying into the U.S. from Canada must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken three days before departure.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees