Is it true that Alaskan residents can still drive from the lower 48?
If they have an enhanced drivers licence, NEXUS card, or passport cardyes. Otherwise, on paper yes, in practice often no. It is very difficult to be allowed into Canada or into the US without an enhanced drivers licence or passport. Even if you follow all of the rules and provide all of the documentation required, they can still deny you entry if you are without a passport. Even if you enter with the required birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalisation, and photo identification, in lieu of a passport, you will possibly be denied entry into Canada. The reason is that Canada might fear these will not be enough to get you back into the US on the other side. The US has even made claims against US citizens with valid birth certificates and deported them to Mexico, claiming the birth certificates were invalid and fraudulent.