Origin
Baltimore, MD
Evening in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
43m
Distance
28 mi
45 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bel Air, MD
Shantum Singh
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Baltimore to Bel Air, you are looking at a brief 28-mile journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is a short, efficient connector within Maryland's Northeast region. You can easily budget around $5 for fuel, making it a very economical trek. Because the transit time is so minimal, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or splitting the drive. It is a straightforward, practical route for anyone needing to get between these two points without any unnecessary fuss.
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
14 miles from Baltimore, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulled by a monotonous interstate grind. You will navigate a mix of road types, including the Express Toll Lanes, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. While you will encounter some highway segments, the longest uninterrupted stretch you will face is 8.5 miles on the Express Toll Lanes. The character of the road shifts as you transition from the urban atmosphere of Baltimore toward the more localized feel of Bel Air, requiring you to stay alert through several directional changes.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MD 2 / Saint Paul Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 28 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: at 0.1 miles (MD 2 / Saint Paul Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (East Baltimore Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MD 2 / Saint Paul Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Baltimore Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 1 Business; MD 924 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Baltimore, MD to Bel Air, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Edgewood along the way.
Edgewood
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Express Toll Lanes | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| East Baltimore Street | 2.8 mi | 8m |
| Harbor Tunnel Thruway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| East Lombard Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Baltimore Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Marketplace Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore, MD and Bel Air, MD.
Start on East Fayette Street
Turn left onto MD 2
Turn left onto East Baltimore Street
At end of road, turn right onto MD 150
Turn left onto MD 150
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 895
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MD 24
Turn right onto Marketplace Drive
Continue on South Atwood Road
Turn right onto US 1 Business
Continue on US 1 Business
Turn left onto US 1 Business; MD 924
Turn right onto Courtland Place
Arrive at destination
Since this is a quick 43-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise move. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the short distance, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep in mind that this route is defined by its frequent turns, so stay focused on your navigation as you move between the different memorial highways. A helpful tip is to confirm your toll payment method for the Express Toll Lanes before you leave, ensuring you can breeze through that 8.5-mile stretch without any delays.
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.
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 28 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bel Air, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Baltimore, 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 Baltimore, MD
This is one driving day of about 28 miles and 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14 mi from Baltimore, MD · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 14 miles from Baltimore, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bel Air, 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 Bel Air, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.63 one way
$9.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.07 | $10.14 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.43 | $10.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.09
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.94 | $1.34 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.92 | $1.79 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Bel Air on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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