Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
83.8 mi
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Photo: Styves Exantus
The drive from California, MD to Baltimore, MD covers 83.8 miles and takes about 1h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Three Notch Road, Patuxent Beach Road, Thomas Johnson Bridge for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
41.9 miles from California, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 47m drive with frequent turns across 83.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Three Notch Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Patuxent Beach Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Thomas Johnson Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Solomons Island Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Solomons Island Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southern Maryland Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Stephanie Roper Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 301 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between California, MD and Baltimore, MD.
Start on Shady Mile Drive
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
Turn right onto Patuxent Beach Road
Continue on Thomas Johnson Bridge
Continue on South Solomons Island Road
Continue on North Solomons Island Road
Continue on Southern Maryland Boulevard
Continue on Stephanie Roper Highway
Take the exit slight right toward US 301 North: Baltimore
Merge slight left onto Crain Highway
Continue on South East Crain Highway
Continue on Robert Crain Highway
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
Merge slight right onto Baltimore Beltway
Take the exit slight right toward MD 295 North: North Baltimore
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Continue on Russell Street
Continue on South Paca Street
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
Turn left
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
Arrive at your destination
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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baltimore, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving California, 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 California, MD
This is one driving day of about 83.8 miles and 1h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.9 mi from California, MD · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.9 miles from California, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$13.48 one way
$26.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $15.17 | $30.35 |
| premium | $4.95 | $16.34 | $32.69 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $19.73 | $39.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.80 | $4.02 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.33 | $3.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.73 | $5.36 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in California on Saturday
Local time
8:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Baltimore on Saturday
Local time
8:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Staten Island, NY
42 mi in
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.
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