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Trip from Chestertown, MD to Laurel, MD

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

68.8 mi

111 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Chestertown, MD, MD

Chestertown, MD

Carly Dernetz

Downtown Laurel, MD, MD

Laurel, MD

Wyxina Tresse

Trip Overview

The drive from Chestertown, MD to Laurel, MD covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Church Hill Road, Patuxent Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.38 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

34.4 miles from Chestertown, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 39m drive with frequent turns across 68.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Blue Star Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 27 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 0.1 miles in near MD 213 / Maple Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 68.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MD 213 / Maple Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles: Navigation decision point; at 47.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | MD 213 / Maple Avenue

Turn right onto MD 213 / Maple Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
18 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the ramp toward US 301 South

Navigation decision point

Toward US 301 South
7
47.1 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 97 North: Baltimore

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
9
54.7 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway toward MD 32: Columbia, Bowie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 7 Toward MD 32: Columbia, Bowie
8
63 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward MD 198: Fort Meade, Laurel

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 8 Toward MD 198: Fort Meade, Laurel

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Chestertown, MD to Laurel, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Bowie along the way.

Bowie

54.7 mi in | ~1h 17m | via MD 32

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway 27 mi 38m
Church Hill Road 14.9 mi 22m
Patuxent Freeway 8.3 mi 11m
I 97 6 mi 6m
Laurel Fort Meade Road 4.5 mi 7m
John Hanson Highway 1.8 mi 2m
Centreville Road 1.8 mi 2m
North Liberty Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Blue Star Memorial Highway — 27 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chestertown, MD and Laurel, MD.

1

Start on MD 289

0.1 mi · 26 sec · South Cross Street
2

Turn right onto MD 213

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Maple Avenue
3

Continue on MD 213

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Chestertown Church Hill Road
4

Continue on MD 213

15 mi · 22 min · Church Hill Road
5

Continue on MD 213

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Liberty Street
6

Continue on MD 213

1.8 mi · 2 min · Centreville Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 301 South
8

Merge onto US 301

27 mi · 38 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2

1.8 mi · 2 min · John Hanson Highway
10

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 21 Toward I 97 North: Baltimore Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
12

Continue on I 97

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 97
13

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 32

8.3 mi · 11 min · Patuxent Freeway
Exit 7 Toward MD 32: Columbia, Bowie Use the slight right lane.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 8 Toward MD 198: Fort Meade, Laurel Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Enter roundabout onto MD 198

259 ft · 4 sec · MD 198
16

Continue on MD 198

0.1 mi · 9 sec · MD 198
17

Enter roundabout onto MD 198

86 ft · 1 sec · Laurel Fort Meade Road
18

Continue on MD 198

4.4 mi · 7 min · Laurel Fort Meade Road
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on MD 198

0.7 mi · 1 min · Fort Meade Road
20

Continue on MD 198

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Talbott Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Turn left

86 ft · 2 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

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 34.4 miles from Chestertown, MD, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 68.8 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 34.4 miles or 51m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurel, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Chestertown, 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 Chestertown, MD

This is one driving day of about 68.8 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chestertown, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 27 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34.4 mi from Chestertown, MD · 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

34 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Chestertown, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Laurel, MD

The final approach into Laurel, 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 Laurel, MD.

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

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...

23 mi from route ~56 min detour $20 near mile 68.8
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.38 one way

$22.77 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $12.46 $24.91
premium $4.92 $13.33 $26.66
diesel $5.64 $15.28 $30.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.6 0 $7.22 $3.30
Efficient EV 17.2 0 $6.02 $2.75
EV Truck/SUV 27.5 0 $9.63 $4.40

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Chestertown, MD

Morning in Chestertown on Monday

Local time

8:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laurel, MD

Morning in Laurel on Monday

Local time

8:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

22 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 39m 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 Chestertown, MD to Laurel, MD covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Church Hill Road, Patuxent Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.4 miles from Chestertown, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.38 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 68.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MD 213 / Maple Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles: Navigation decision point; at 47.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Chestertown, MD to Laurel, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Bowie along the way.

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