Origin
Annapolis, MD
Night in Annapolis on Sunday
Local time
10:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Annapolis, MD to Baltimore, MD
Drive Time
42m
Distance
30.4 mi
49 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Annapolis, MD
Jason Gooljar
Trip Overview
Traveling between Annapolis and Baltimore is a quick, straightforward journey covering 30.4 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 42 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes I-97, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, and the John Hanson Highway to navigate the Maryland landscape. With a fuel cost of only $5, this drive is exceptionally budget-friendly for a quick transition between these two Northeast hubs. Since the entire trip takes less than an hour, you have maximum flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. It is a highly practical connection for those looking to move efficiently between these Maryland cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.2 miles from Annapolis, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-97, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 17.4 miles. Because the drive is designed for efficiency, the road personality is functional and consistent rather than winding or scenic. You won't encounter any mandatory stops, allowing for a smooth, continuous flow from start to finish. The transition between these major corridors is seamless, keeping you on fast-paced roads for the vast majority of your 30.4-mile trek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 97 and Baltimore-Washington Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MD 450 / College Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 30.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MD 450 / College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MD 450 / College Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MD 450 / College Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
7
4.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
8
21.9 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 97
Take the exit onto I 97 toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17A
Toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
7
24.1 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward MD 295 North: North Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7B
Toward MD 295 North: North Baltimore
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Annapolis, MD to Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Towson along the way.
Towson
21.9 mi in
|
~27m
|
via I 97
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 97 | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| Baltimore-Washington Parkway | 4 mi | 5m |
| John Hanson Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Roscoe Rowe Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Russell Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Baltimore Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bladen Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 97
— 17.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Annapolis, MD and Baltimore, MD.
1
Start on School Street
137 ft
·
6 sec
·
School Street
2
Enter roundabout onto MD 450
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
College Avenue
3
Continue on MD 450
343 ft
·
7 sec
·
College Avenue
4
Turn left onto MD 70
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bladen Street
5
Continue on MD 70
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
John Hanson Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 21
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 97
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 97
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 97
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit onto I 97
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 97
Exit 17A
Toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 695
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 7B
Toward MD 295 North: North Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto MD 295
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on MD 295
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Russell Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on MD 295
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Paca Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Baltimore Street
Use the none lane.
19
Turn left
281 ft
·
25 sec
20
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
212 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Fayette Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Fayette Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 42-minute duration, you don't need to worry about complex pacing or rest breaks for this drive. You can easily complete the entire distance in one go, as there are no required stops along the way. Be mindful that because this route relies heavily on major highways, traffic volume can fluctuate; choosing off-peak hours will help you maintain that estimated 42-minute travel time. Since your fuel cost is only $5, you won't need to worry about planning for major refueling stops mid-transit. A concrete tip for this route is to monitor traffic reports for I-97 before departing, as this is your longest stretch of road and most susceptible to congestion.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.2 miles from Annapolis, MD, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 30.4 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.2 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baltimore, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Annapolis, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Annapolis, MD
This is one driving day of about 30.4 miles and 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Annapolis, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 97 for about 17.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.2 mi from Annapolis, MD · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from Annapolis, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Baltimore, MD
The final approach into Baltimore, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Baltimore, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.03 one way
$10.06 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.50 | $11.01 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.89 | $11.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.75 | $13.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.66 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Baltimore, MD
Night in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
10:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Annapolis, MD to Baltimore, MD covers 30.4 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 97, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, John Hanson Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.2 miles from Annapolis, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 30.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MD 450 / College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Annapolis, MD to Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Towson along the way.
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