Origin
College Park, MD
Evening in College Park on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
35m
Distance
24.2 mi
39 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
College Park, MD
Styves Exantus
Elkridge, MD
Jonathan Borba
Driving from College Park to Elkridge is a quick, straightforward 24.2-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip works perfectly as a simple day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via I-95, Baltimore Avenue, and Washington Boulevard. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is an economical route for commuters or weekend travelers alike. Both locations are situated within Maryland’s Northeast region, meaning you will remain in a familiar geographic area throughout the drive. It is a highly practical connection that gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
12.1 miles from College Park, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 67% of this route involves interstate travel. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be the 15.9-mile stretch on I-95, which serves as the backbone of the trip. While the interstate segments provide a fast, consistent pace, you will also navigate Baltimore Avenue and Washington Boulevard to reach your destination. This mix creates a functional drive that transitions from urban arterial roads to the higher speeds of the interstate. You won't find many technical turns or winding backroads here, making it a predictable and efficient path for those looking to avoid unnecessary complexity.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Washington Boulevard. 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 US 1 / Baltimore Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 24.2 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 (US 1 / Baltimore Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 toward I-95 North: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1 North: Elkridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from College Park, MD to Elkridge, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Silver Spring along the way.
Silver Spring
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Washington Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 2.7 mi | 7m |
| Capital Beltway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| MD 100 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Old Washington Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Knox Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between College Park, MD and Elkridge, MD.
Start on Knox Road
Turn right onto US 1
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto MD 100
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 1
Turn right onto Old Washington Road
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire distance without needing to plan for any stops, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on I-95 can fluctuate, so checking real-time conditions before you leave is a smart move. With the fuel cost estimated at only $4, you don't need to worry about complex refueling logistics along the way. Prioritize a departure that avoids peak rush hours to ensure you maintain that 35-minute transit time, as the highway portions can become congested during morning and evening commutes.
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 24.2 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.1 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elkridge, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving College Park, 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 College Park, MD
This is one driving day of about 24.2 miles and 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.1 mi from College Park, MD · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 24.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 12.1 miles from College Park, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Elkridge, 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 Elkridge, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.00 one way
$8.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.69 | $9.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.38 | $10.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.54 | $1.16 |
| Efficient EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.12 | $0.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.39 | $1.55 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in College Park on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Elkridge on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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