Origin
Ellicott City, MD
Evening in Ellicott City on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellicott City, MD to College Park, MD
Drive Time
39m
Distance
23.7 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellicott City, MD
Iqbal farooz
College Park, MD
Styves Exantus
Trip Overview
Spanning 23.7 miles, this quick trip from Ellicott City to College Park is an easy drive that typically takes about 39 minutes. Since it is entirely local, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics; a single day is more than enough to complete the journey. You should budget approximately $4 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via Columbia Pike, Cherry Hill Road, and Baltimore Avenue, you stay within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip. It is a straightforward commute that serves as a practical connection between these two Maryland locations.
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
11.9 miles from Ellicott City, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 15.1 miles on Columbia Pike. The transition between these surface streets requires your full attention, as the path relies on continuous turns to reach your destination. Because you are avoiding major highways, the pace remains steady and grounded in the local landscape. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands alertness as you maneuver through these specific Maryland corridors.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Columbia Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 15.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.7 miles you will encounter 6 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: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 29 / Columbia Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 29 South: Washington
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 29 South: Washington
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge onto US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.9 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill 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.
Toward E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill Road
5
17.2 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Cherry Hill Road
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
21.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Turn right onto US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 15.1 mi | 20m |
| Cherry Hill Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Old Columbia Pike | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Montgomery Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Knox Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Columbia Pike
— 15.1 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellicott City, MD and College Park, MD.
1
Start on Old Columbia Pike
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Columbia Pike
2
Turn slight right onto MD 103
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Montgomery Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 29 South: Washington
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Merge onto US 29
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill Road
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Cherry Hill Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto US 1
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Baltimore Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Turn left onto Knox Road
310 ft
·
15 sec
·
Knox Road
Use the left lane.
9
Arrive at destination
Knox Road
Trip Plan
Given the 39-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since there are no scheduled stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks. Keep a close eye on your navigation when switching between Columbia Pike, Cherry Hill Road, and Baltimore Avenue, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be easy to misread. With a fuel budget of only $4, it is a very economical trip that doesn't require complex refueling logistics. Prioritize checking local road conditions before you head out to ensure a smooth transition through the various local streets.
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 11.9 miles from Ellicott City, MD, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.1 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 23.7 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 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 30m
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 Ellicott City, 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 Ellicott City, MD
This is one driving day of about 23.7 miles and 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ellicott City, 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 Columbia Pike for about 15.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Ellicott City, 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 23.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Ellicott City, 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
$3.92 one way
$7.84 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.29 | $8.58 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.59 | $9.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.27 | $10.53 |
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 | $2.49 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
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
2 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
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 Ellicott City, MD to College Park, MD covers 23.7 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Columbia Pike, Cherry Hill Road, Baltimore Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 miles from Ellicott City, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.92 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 23.7 miles you will encounter 6 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: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 29 / Columbia Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ellicott City, MD to College Park, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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