J1 Visa Travel into US from Canada

I am a Canadian citizen and have a J1 visa for work this summer in New York.

Just trying to get clarification on entry options - I know the border restrictions don’t apply when flying; but that would actually add many hours to my trip.

Any thoughts on whether having a valid J1 visa would allow me to drive across a land border? (My visa sponsor pretty much said “try and found out”, so having a hard time getting opinions on it)