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Trip from Catonsville, MD to University Park, MD

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

43m

Distance

28.3 mi

46 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 40m ★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States

Catonsville, MD

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown University Park, MD, MD

University Park, MD

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

This relatively short drive of 28.3 miles from Catonsville, MD, to University Park, MD, can easily be completed in about 43 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is heavily focused on the interstate, with 66% of it being highway driving, primarily on I-95. With an estimated fuel cost of $5, this is an economical option for a quick journey. Given its brevity and the straightforward nature of the drive, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a convenient connection between two points in Maryland.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 43m. Total distance: 28.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 43-minute trip, as 66% of the route utilizes major interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 17.2 miles on I-95, providing an uninterrupted segment of faster travel. While primarily interstate, the journey also incorporates segments on Powder Mill Road and Adelphi Road, which may offer a slight change in pace and scenery as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to University Park quickly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 17.2 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MD 144 / Frederick Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 (MD 144 / Frederick Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (MD 166): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | MD 144 / Frederick Road

Turn left onto MD 144 / Frederick Road

Navigation decision point

6
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | MD 166

Turn left onto MD 166 toward I 195 East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 195 East
7
2.9 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4B Toward I 95 South: Washington
5
3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
20.7 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward MD 212 West: Calverton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 29B Toward MD 212 West: Calverton

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 17.2 mi 19m
Powder Mill Road 2.4 mi 4m
Adelphi Road 2.1 mi 4m
Riggs Road 1.6 mi 2m
South Rolling Road 1.2 mi 2m
Bloomsbury Avenue 0.9 mi 2m
MD 166 0.7 mi <1m
Wells Parkway 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 17.2 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Catonsville, MD and University Park, MD.

1

Start on this road

37 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto MD 144

153 ft · 8 sec · Frederick Road
3

Turn right onto Bloomsbury Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Bloomsbury Avenue
4

At end of road, turn left onto MD 166

0.9 mi · 2 min · South Rolling Road
5

Continue on MD 166

0.3 mi · 39 sec · South Rolling Road
Use the straight lane.
6

Turn left onto MD 166

0.7 mi · 46 sec · MD 166
Toward I 195 East Use the left lane.
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 4B Toward I 95 South: Washington Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 95

17 mi · 19 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 42 sec
Exit 29B Toward MD 212 West: Calverton Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn straight onto MD 212

2.4 mi · 4 min · Powder Mill Road
11

Turn straight onto MD 212

1.6 mi · 2 min · Riggs Road
12

Turn left onto Adelphi Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · Adelphi Road
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto Wells Parkway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wells Parkway
14

Continue on Wells Parkway East

0.3 mi · 1 min · Wells Parkway East
15

Turn left onto Beechwood Road

311 ft · 15 sec · Beechwood Road
16

Turn right onto Underwood Street

0.2 mi · 59 sec · Underwood Street
17

Turn left onto Queens Chapel Road

56 ft · 1 sec · Queens Chapel Road
18

Arrive at destination

Queens Chapel Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.69 one way

$9.38 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $5.14 $10.28
premium $4.93 $5.49 $10.98
diesel $5.61 $6.25 $12.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$5

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.5 0 $2.97 $1.36
Efficient EV 7.1 0 $2.48 $1.13
EV Truck/SUV 11.3 0 $3.96 $1.81

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Catonsville, MD

Afternoon in Catonsville on Thursday

Local time

12:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

University Park, MD

Afternoon in University Park on Thursday

Local time

12:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

14 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

43m 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 Catonsville, MD to University Park, MD covers 28.3 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Powder Mill Road, Adelphi Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.2 miles from Catonsville, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.69 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 28.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 (MD 144 / Frederick Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (MD 166): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Catonsville, MD to University Park, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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