Origin
Brooklyn Park, MD
Afternoon in Brooklyn Park on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brooklyn Park, MD to Bowie, MD
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
35m
Distance
24 mi
39 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brooklyn Park, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Bowie, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 24-mile drive from Brooklyn Park, MD, to Bowie, MD, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 35 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major roads like MD 3 and I-97, with a significant 83% highway share. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, this journey is budget-friendly for a quick excursion within the Northeast region of Maryland. There are no designated stops suggested, indicating a direct and efficient travel experience. This is a practical option for a short, focused trip where you want to get 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
12 miles from Brooklyn Park, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 24-mile stretch, with 83% of the drive taking place on faster roads. You'll navigate segments on MD 3, I-97, and Ritchie Highway, offering a consistent pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.8 miles on MD 3, allowing for a good period of steady driving. While primarily highway, keep an eye out for transitions as you approach your destination in Bowie. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than leisurely cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MD 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MD 3 and I 97. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 6th Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 24 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (6th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MD 2 / Ritchie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
6th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MD 2 / Ritchie Highway
At end of road, turn right onto MD 2 / Ritchie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
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 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
8
12.2 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
MD 3
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3 toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
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 Brooklyn Park, MD to Bowie, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Crofton along the way.
Crofton
12.2 mi in
|
~16m
|
via MD 3
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MD 3 | 10.8 mi | 16m |
| I 97 | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Ritchie Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Collington Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Evergreen Parkway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 6th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Marshall Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MD 3
— 10.8 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn Park, MD and Bowie, MD.
1
Start on Marshall Road
48 ft
·
3 sec
·
Marshall Road
2
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
6th Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto MD 2
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ritchie Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 695 West: Towson
5
Merge onto I 695
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
Baltimore Beltway
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 97
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 97
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3
11 mi
·
16 min
·
MD 3
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto MD 197
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Collington Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Evergreen Parkway
11
Turn right
259 ft
·
20 sec
12
Turn left
110 ft
·
8 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given its short 35-minute duration, this 24-mile trip offers great flexibility for when you choose to depart. You can easily leave Brooklyn Park, MD, anytime without needing to plan for overnight stays. With a minimal fuel cost of around $4, you won't need to worry extensively about refueling stops. The longest stretch is just over 10 miles on MD 3, so you can maintain a good pace. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on I-97, especially during peak commuting hours, as it's a common thoroughfare.
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 12 miles from Brooklyn Park, MD, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.8 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 24 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12 miles or 16m 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 Bowie, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brooklyn Park, 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 Brooklyn Park, MD
This is one driving day of about 24 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brooklyn Park, 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 MD 3 for about 10.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12 mi from Brooklyn Park, MD · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12 miles from Brooklyn Park, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bowie, MD
The final approach into Bowie, 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 Bowie, 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
$3.98 one way
$7.96 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.36 | $8.72 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.65 | $9.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.30 | $10.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.52 | $1.15 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.10 | $0.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Bowie, MD
Afternoon in Bowie on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
35m 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 Brooklyn Park, MD to Bowie, MD covers 24 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MD 3, I 97, Ritchie 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 12 miles from Brooklyn Park, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.98 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 24 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (6th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MD 2 / Ritchie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Brooklyn Park, MD to Bowie, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Crofton along the way.
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