Origin
Clinton, MD
Late night in Clinton on Wednesday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, MD to Frederick, MD
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
66.5 mi
107 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Clinton, MD to Frederick, MD covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 270, Capital Beltway, Branch Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.7 miles on I 270. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.02 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
33.2 miles from Clinton, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Clinton, MD to Frederick, MD covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 29m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 270 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 66.5 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.7 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.4 mi into trip
|
~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
23.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
32.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
8
43.3 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
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 11; 12
Toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West...
8
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
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 31
Toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
College Park
4.4 mi in
|
~6m
Silver Spring
23.2 mi in
|
~31m
|
via I 495
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 30.7 mi | 39m |
| Capital Beltway | 27.9 mi | 36m |
| Branch Avenue | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Buckeystown Pike | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Woodyard Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Carroll Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Patrick Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 270
— 30.7 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on this road
43 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto MD 223
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodyard Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto MD 5
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Branch Avenue
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 95; I 495
18 mi
·
24 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 270
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 11; 12
Toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 270
20 mi
·
24 min
·
I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 31
Toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto MD 85
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Buckeystown Pike
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on MD 85
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
15
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
16
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
17
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Street
18
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East South Street
19
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Carroll Street
20
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Patrick Street
21
Arrive at destination
MD 144
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 33.2 miles from Clinton, MD, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.7 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 66.5 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.2 miles or 44m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frederick, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, MD
This is one driving day of about 66.5 miles and 1h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, 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 I 270 for about 30.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.2 mi from Clinton, MD · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 66.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.2 miles from Clinton, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Frederick, MD
The final approach into Frederick, 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 Frederick, 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
$11.02 one way
$22.05 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.07 | $24.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $12.90 | $25.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.68 | $29.36 |
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: 23.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20 | 0 | $6.98 | $3.19 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.31 | $4.26 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Frederick, MD
Late night in Frederick on Wednesday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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 29m 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 Clinton, MD to Frederick, MD covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 270, Capital Beltway, Branch Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.2 miles from Clinton, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.02 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 16 significant decision points across 66.5 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.7 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clinton, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
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