The drive from California, MD to Hanover, MD covers 79.9 miles and takes about 1h 54m 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, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Capital Beltway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.7 miles on Three Notch Road.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.25 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.
Midpoint
40 miles from California, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 79.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 54m drive with frequent turns across 79.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Three Notch Road is the longest continuous segment at about 21.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 38.3 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 38.3 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
38.3 mi into trip|~55m in|MD 5 / Branch Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
7
47.2 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...
8
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22A
Toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Balt...
9
62 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washi...
7
78 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Coca-Cola Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward Coca-Cola Drive
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between California, MD and Hanover, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Baltimore North and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
College Park
47.2 mi in|~1h 6m
Baltimore North
61.8 mi in|~1h 26m
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
62 mi in|~1h 27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Three Notch Road
21.7 mi
30m
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
15 mi
20m
Capital Beltway
14.2 mi
19m
Leonardtown Road
10.6 mi
14m
Branch Avenue
9 mi
11m
Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.3 mi
5m
Crain Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Coca Cola Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Three Notch Road
— 21.7 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California, MD and Hanover, MD.
1
Start on Shady Mile Drive
0.2 mi·48 sec·Shady Mile Drive
2
Turn right onto MD 235
22 mi·30 min·Three Notch Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on MD 5
11 mi·14 min·Leonardtown Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto MD 5
3.3 mi·5 min·Mattawoman Beantown Road
5
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
2.5 mi·3 min·Crain Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5
9.0 mi·11 min·Branch Avenue
Toward MD 5 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College ParkUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 95; I 495
14 mi·19 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22AToward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall AirportUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
15 mi·20 min·Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward MD 100 West: Ellicott CityUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto MD 100
0.4 mi·36 sec·Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 8Toward Coca-Cola DriveUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto Coca Cola Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Coca Cola Drive
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Continue on Hi Tech Drive
0.3 mi·46 sec·Hi Tech Drive
17
Continue on Hi Tech Drive
166 ft·8 sec·Hi Tech Drive
18
Turn left onto Hanover Road
0.1 mi·30 sec·Hanover Road
19
Turn sharp right
68 ft·4 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 40 miles from California, MD, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 57m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hanover, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving California, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from California, MD
This is one driving day of about 79.9 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from California, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Three Notch Road for about 21.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40 mi from California, MD
· 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40 miles from California, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hanover, MD
The final approach into Hanover, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$20
near mile 60.7
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.25 one way
$26.49 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.51
$29.02
premium
$4.93
$15.50
$30.99
diesel
$5.61
$17.64
$35.28
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: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.39
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$6.99
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.19
$5.11
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
California, MD
Morning
in California on Friday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hanover, MD
Morning
in Hanover on Friday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 54m 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 California, MD to Hanover, MD covers 79.9 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Three Notch Road, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Capital Beltway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40 miles from California, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.25 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 79.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 38.3 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between California, MD and Hanover, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Baltimore North and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
