Origin
Beltsville, MD
Evening in Beltsville on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beltsville, MD to Baltimore, MD
Drive Time
37m
Distance
27.2 mi
44 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beltsville, MD
Carly Dernetz
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Beltsville and Baltimore, this 27.2-mile trip is an incredibly efficient transit. You can expect to spend about 37 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting around $5 for fuel is more than enough to cover the distance, leaving you plenty of room in your travel wallet. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region of Maryland, the terrain remains consistent throughout the journey. This highway-focused path is ideal if you prioritize speed and simplicity over detours. It is a straightforward commute that gets you from point A to point B with minimal 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
13.6 miles from Beltsville, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a heavy emphasis on interstate travel, as approximately 81% of this route consists of high-speed highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-95, which accounts for a 22.1-mile stretch of the journey. The experience begins with local navigation via Powder Mill Road before transitioning into the fast-paced flow of the interstate. Eventually, you will exit the highway and rely on Russell Street to guide you into the heart of Baltimore. Because the vast majority of the drive is spent on major thoroughfares, you should prepare for a consistent, high-intensity driving environment rather than a winding backroad experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 22.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Powder Mill Road. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 95.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.2 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (West Baltimore Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward Russell Street North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward Russell Street North
5
26.5 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
West Baltimore Street
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
27.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
6
27.1 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
East Fayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Beltsville, MD to Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Russell Street North along the way.
Russell Street North
24.6 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 22.1 mi | 26m |
| Powder Mill Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Russell Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Baltimore Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Paca Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Fayette Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 22.1 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beltsville, MD and Baltimore, MD.
1
Start on MD 212A
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Powder Mill Road
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto MD 212
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Powder Mill Road
3
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore
4
Merge onto I 95
22 mi
·
26 min
·
I 95
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 52
Toward Russell Street North
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on MD 295
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Russell Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on MD 295
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Paca Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Baltimore Street
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left
281 ft
·
25 sec
10
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
212 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Fayette Street
11
Arrive at destination
East Fayette Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is brief and direct, you have total flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops, as the 37-minute duration is short enough to drive straight through without a break. Keep a close eye on traffic patterns when merging onto I-95, as this segment carries the heaviest volume of the trip. Because you are relying on a single major interstate for over 22 miles, check local traffic reports before you leave Beltsville to ensure no unexpected congestion slows your progress. Embracing the brevity of this route means you can easily fit this travel into a busy schedule without needing extensive pre-trip preparation.
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 13.6 miles from Beltsville, MD, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.1 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 27.2 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.6 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 Beltsville, 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 Beltsville, MD
This is one driving day of about 27.2 miles and 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Beltsville, 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 95 for about 22.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.6 mi from Beltsville, MD · 17m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Beltsville, 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
$4.50 one way
$9.00 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.92 | $9.85 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.27 | $10.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.04 | $12.09 |
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: 9.5 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 | 8.2 | 0 | $2.86 | $1.31 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.38 | $1.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Baltimore, MD
Evening in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
6:45 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
37m 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 Beltsville, MD to Baltimore, MD covers 27.2 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Powder Mill Road, Russell Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.6 miles from Beltsville, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.50 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.2 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (West Baltimore Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Beltsville, MD to Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Russell Street North along the way.
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