Origin
Brandywine, MD
Late night in Brandywine on Wednesday
Local time
2:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandywine, MD to City of Baltimore, MD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
49.2 mi
79 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandywine, MD
Jonathan Borba
City of Baltimore, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 49.2-mile journey from Brandywine, MD, to the City of Baltimore, MD, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 11 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. The route largely utilizes Crain Highway and South East Crain Highway before transitioning to I-97. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, this drive offers a straightforward travel option within the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a quick excursion or a segment of a larger trip without the need for an overnight stay. Expect a budget-friendly and efficient transit between these Maryland locations.
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
24.6 miles from Brandywine, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll navigate several intersections and changes in direction. While 28% of the route involves highway driving, the majority is on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.6 miles on Crain Highway. This means the journey will feel more connected to the communities you pass through rather than a continuous high-speed cruise. Be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic lights as you make your way north.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Crain Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 31.8 miles in near I 97.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 31.8 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
31.8 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
I 97
Merge onto I 97
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
40.7 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
42.9 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
5
43.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
MD 295 / Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Merge onto MD 295 / Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
East Fayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brandywine, MD to City of Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Towson along the way.
Towson
40.7 mi in
|
~56m
|
via I 97
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crain Highway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| South East Crain Highway | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| I 97 | 10 mi | 11m |
| Robert Crain Highway | 7.1 mi | 11m |
| Baltimore-Washington Parkway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Brandywine Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Russell Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Crain Highway
— 12.6 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandywine, MD and City of Baltimore, MD.
1
Start on MD 381
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Brandywine Road
2
Turn right onto US 301
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Crain Highway
3
Continue on US 301
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South East Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on MD 3; MD 450
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert Crain Highway
5
Merge onto I 97
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 695
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 7B
Toward MD 295 North: North Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto MD 295
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on MD 295
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Russell Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on MD 295
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Paca Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Baltimore Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
281 ft
·
25 sec
14
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
212 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Fayette Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Fayette Street
Trip Plan
For this shorter drive of just over an hour, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider departing outside of peak commute times to minimize potential delays on the local road segments. While there are no specific stops recommended in the data, the short distance means you can easily pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Baltimore, and remember that the $8 fuel cost is an estimate. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the Crain Highway section, as it's your longest continuous stretch and likely where you'll experience the most consistent driving conditions before merging onto I-97.
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 24.6 miles from Brandywine, MD, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.6 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 49.2 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.6 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Baltimore, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brandywine, 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 Brandywine, MD
This is one driving day of about 49.2 miles and 1h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brandywine, 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 Crain Highway for about 12.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from Brandywine, MD · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 49.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Brandywine, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in City of Baltimore, MD
The final approach into City of 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 City of 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
$8.16 one way
$16.31 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.93 | $17.87 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.86 | $21.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.17 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.89 | $3.15 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
City of Baltimore, MD
Late night in City of Baltimore on Wednesday
Local time
2:53 AM
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
2 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
1h 11m 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 Brandywine, MD to City of Baltimore, MD covers 49.2 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crain Highway, South East Crain Highway, I 97. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.6 miles from Brandywine, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.16 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 49.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 31.8 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brandywine, MD to City of Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Towson along the way.
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