Travel to Canada.... documents needed?

I'd like to go to Canada in a few weeks, but I read that to get into Canada, I only need a birth cert / driver's Lic. But to get BACK to US, I need a passport if travelling by air or bus.... What about by car?

The US Gov site is less than helpful.....it only tells me what I can't bring back with me!

As I understand it, the State Dept is developing a passport card (which looks like a drivers license) for land and sea travel between Canada, the US and Mexico.

But for now, I would bring a passport...just in case. Homeland Security isn't fooling around anymore.

After Jan, the rules will change again...

January 1, 2008 – It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

I live about 15 minutes from the Canada-US border. I drive back and forth all the time with just a drivers license. The law requiring passports doesn't go into effect until 2008, but this has already been pushed back several times. Have fun!

As of January 2007, any citizen (of any country) traveling by air needs to have a valid passport to ENTER the US.

If the individual is a US or Canadian citizen AND is traveling by land or sea, proof of citizenship (meaning valid passport or birth certificate or naturalization papers) and valid photo ID (US or Canadian driver's license, passport, or military ID) are required to ENTER the US.

If the individual is NOT a US or Canadian citizen, a valid passport is required to ENTER the US (or Canada).

As of January 2008, ALL individuals - regardless of mode of travel - will require a valid passport to ENTER the US (and probably Canada).