We live closer than Daniel to Buffalo, only about a 45 min drive. While the dollar was high, making a trip wasn't really worth it. Now that it's lower again I am sure my wife will be cross border shopping again. With Target pulling out of Canada I assume there will be more people going again too.

We used to look for kids clothes when my son was younger, some grocery items are better and of course gas is cheap. Some times it's more about just spending a day out and about.
Coming back it's best to just tell them what you spent. Only time I have ever been pulled over at border and had to pay was when we bought a bike.

We recently drove to Florida and even with the exchange gas was pretty good in the US. Paid as low as 1.82 a gallon. Makes it tricky to figure out how much to pre pay the first time you fill up.