I cross back to the US with just a drivers license. I've used an expired passport as well. I've crossed quite a few times though so they probably have my picture and documents in their database. They never give me any slack about just crossing with my drivers license.
Short answe is YES. An expired US passport is acceptable proof of citizenship and an extra picture i.d. if uspp picture is too young to show. You can not use an expired uspp to fly on a plane but is acceptable to cross on a land border. The foreign country is a different case. They MAY NOT accept an expired pp entering into their country. But they seldom check.
Yes, just bring also proof of residency like a bill or mail in your name that matches your address in the driver license and it'll be much easier..
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