Origin
Elkridge, MD
Evening in Elkridge on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elkridge, MD to College Park, MD
Drive Time
38m
Distance
23.6 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elkridge, MD
Jonathan Borba
College Park, MD
Styves Exantus
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Elkridge and College Park, this 23.6-mile trip is a straightforward journey through Maryland. Expect to spend about 38 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of $4, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops to complete comfortably. You will be traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning between suburban hubs. Because the drive is short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are commuting or heading out for a local visit.
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
11.8 miles from Elkridge, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, balancing high-speed transit with local navigation. You will spend 57% of your time on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 13.1 miles on I-95. As you transition from the interstate onto Baltimore Avenue and Cherry Hill Road, the pace shifts from a steady highway cruise to a more variable local drive. Expect a transition from fast-moving lanes to the stop-and-go nature of surface streets as you reach your destination. It is a functional drive that trades scenic variety for direct, efficient connectivity.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 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 13.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
333 ft
67 ft
Total Climb
536 ft
Total Descent
559 ft
Highest Point
333 ft
~8.8 mi in
Elevation Range
266 ft
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 1.2 miles in near US 1 / Washington Boulevard.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 23.6 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 1.2 miles (US 1 / Washington Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 1 / Washington Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Washington Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
9
3.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
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 5A-B
Toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
7
17.4 mi into trip
|
~24m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Elkridge, MD to College Park, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
3.2 mi in
|
~7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Cherry Hill Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Washington Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Old Washington Road | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Powder Mill Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| MD 100 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Knox Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 13.1 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elkridge, MD and College Park, MD.
1
Start on Old Washington Road
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Washington Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
Toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto MD 100
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
MD 100
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 5A-B
Toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 29B
Toward MD 212 West: Calverton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto MD 212
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Powder Mill Road
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cherry Hill Road
Use the none lane.
11
Turn right onto US 1
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Baltimore Avenue
Use the none lane.
12
Turn left onto Knox Road
310 ft
·
15 sec
·
Knox Road
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Knox Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 38-minute trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever your schedule allows. Keep in mind that your route relies on a mix of I-95 and local arteries like Cherry Hill Road, so stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you exit the highway. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the short duration, allowing you to breeze through the 23.6 miles without much downtime. To make the most of your fuel budget, ensure your tires are properly inflated before you leave Elkridge to maximize efficiency during the 13.1-mile stretch on I-95.
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 11.8 miles from Elkridge, MD, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.1 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 23.6 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 17m 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 College Park, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elkridge, 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 Elkridge, MD
This is one driving day of about 23.6 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elkridge, 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 95 for about 13.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Elkridge, MD · 17m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Elkridge, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in College Park, MD
The final approach into College Park, 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 College Park, 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
$3.91 one way
$7.81 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.27 | $8.55 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.57 | $9.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.24 | $10.49 |
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: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
College Park, MD
Evening in College Park on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
38m 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 Elkridge, MD to College Park, MD covers 23.6 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Baltimore Avenue, Cherry Hill Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.8 miles from Elkridge, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.91 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 23.6 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 1.2 miles (US 1 / Washington Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Elkridge, MD to College Park, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 67 ft to 333 ft elevation with about 536 ft of total climbing.
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