Trip from Essex, MD to Crisfield, MD

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

147.7 mi

238 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 19m ★

6 AM

3h 31m

8 AM

3h 56m

10 AM

3h 40m

12 PM

3h 37m

3 PM

3h 41m

5 PM

3h 55m

8 PM

3h 24m

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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Trip Overview

Traveling from Essex to Crisfield covers 147.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within Maryland, you will transition from the Northeast region down toward the coast. This route is perfectly manageable as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $24 on fuel for the journey. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a more personal, hands-on experience than a simple interstate sprint, making it a straightforward choice for a weekend getaway.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.9 miles from Essex, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mix of local roads rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as highways only account for 9% of your total travel time. You will navigate using a combination of the Blue Star Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, and Shore Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 19.1-mile segment along the Blue Star Memorial Highway. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should stay alert as the road character shifts from suburban transitions to more rural, winding paths. It is an engaging drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 49 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 19.1 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 11.1 miles in near Harbor Tunnel Throughway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 147.7 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 11.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles (MD 10 / Arundel Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 28 key points

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

11.1 mi into trip | ~20m in | Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6 Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie

12.7 mi into trip | ~22m in | Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight left at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

19.9 mi into trip | ~33m in | MD 10 / Arundel Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10 / Arundel Expressway toward MD 10 South: Severna Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward MD 10 South: Severna Park

48.3 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | US 50

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth

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

Use the none lane. Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth

109.8 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | US 13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 13 toward US 13, US 50 East: Norfolk, Ocean City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 13, US 50 East: Norfolk, Ocean City

Towns Along This Route

Between Essex, MD and Crisfield, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Rehoboth and Ocean City.

Annapolis

11.1 mi in | ~20m | via Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Glen Burnie

11.1 mi in | ~20m | via Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Rehoboth

48.3 mi in | ~1h 14m | via US 50

Ocean City

109.8 mi in | ~2h 39m | via US 13

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway	19.1 mi	27m
Sussex Highway	18.9 mi	25m
Shore Highway	13.5 mi	18m
Crisfield Highway	13 mi	18m
Ocean Highway	11.9 mi	16m
Salisbury Bypass	10.6 mi	12m
Seashore Highway	7.5 mi	9m
US 50	6.9 mi	9m

Longest stretch: Blue Star Memorial Highway — 19.1 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Essex, MD and Crisfield, MD.

Start on this road

359 ft · 31 sec · this road

Turn left

184 ft · 15 sec

At end of road, turn right onto MD 150

1.0 mi · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

Continue on MD 150

1.3 mi · 2 min · Eastern Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Toward MD 151 North: North Point Boulevard, Baltimore Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto MD 151

0.5 mi · 53 sec · North Point Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Kane Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Kane Street

Turn slight right

184 ft · 8 sec

Continue on East Lombard Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Lombard Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto MD 150

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Ponca Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 895 Toll South

Merge onto I 895

1.8 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 895

1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

Continue on I 895

2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 895

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

1.7 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Exit 6 Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

1.2 mi · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto MD 2

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ritchie Highway

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto MD 270

0.4 mi · 36 sec · East Furnace Branch Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward MD 10 South

Merge onto MD 10

4.0 mi · 5 min · Arundel Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · Arundel Expressway

Toward MD 10 South: Severna Park Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto MD 2

2.4 mi · 3 min · Ritchie Highway

Continue on MD 2

6.1 mi · 8 min · Governor Ritchie Highway

Use the straight / none lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Bay Bridge

Merge onto US 50; US 301

19 mi · 27 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50

6.9 mi · 9 min · US 50

Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth Use the none lane.

Turn left onto MD 404

6.2 mi · 8 min · Queen Anne Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on Shore Highway

5.3 mi · 7 min · Shore Highway

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the exit onto MD 404 Business

1.4 mi · 2 min · MD 404 Business

Turn slight right onto MD 404 Business

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Franklin Street

Turn right onto South 5th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 5th Avenue

Turn left onto Legion Road

282 ft · 7 sec · Legion Road

Turn right onto MD 313; MD 404

8.1 mi · 11 min · Shore Highway

Continue on DE 404

7.5 mi · 9 min · Seashore Highway

At end of road, turn left onto DE 404 Business

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Market Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Turn right onto US 13

19 mi · 25 min · Sussex Highway

Continue on US 13

3.8 mi · 5 min · North Salisbury Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 13

270 ft · 6 sec · US 13

Toward US 13, US 50

Keep slight left at fork onto US 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 13

Toward US 13, US 50 East: Norfolk, Ocean City

Merge onto US 13; US 50

11 mi · 12 min · Salisbury Bypass

Continue on US 13

0.6 mi · 40 sec · South Fruitland Boulevard

Continue on US 13

12 mi · 16 min · Ocean Highway

Take the exit onto MD 413

13 mi · 18 min · Crisfield Highway

Continue on MD 413

1.0 mi · 1 min · Maryland Avenue

Turn left onto North 4th Street

164 ft · 10 sec · North 4th Street

Continue on North 4th Street

400 ft · 17 sec · North 4th Street

Arrive at destination

North 4th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 31 minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the turns. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to navigate local traffic patterns comfortably. Since you only have one major stop to account for, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before heading out, as the $24 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Prioritize comfort, as the technical nature of these local roads demands active driving compared to standard highway cruising.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 73.9 miles from Essex, MD, or about 1h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 80 miles or 1h 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 53m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Essex, 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 Essex, MD

This is one driving day of about 147.7 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Essex, MD.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 19.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.9 mi from Essex, MD · 1h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

74 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.9 miles from Essex, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Crisfield, MD

The final approach into Crisfield, 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 Crisfield, 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

$24.44 one way

$48.88 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$26.74	$53.49
premium	$4.92	$28.62	$57.24
diesel	$5.64	$32.81	$65.63

Estimated Tolls: $0.28

Harbor Tunnel Thruway (4 mi) $0.28

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.3	$15.51	$7.09
Efficient EV	36.9	$12.92	$5.91
EV Truck/SUV	59.1	$20.68	$9.45

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 12 hours ago

Origin

Essex, MD

Evening in Essex on Sunday

Local time

7:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Crisfield, MD

Evening in Crisfield on Sunday

Local time

7:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°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

9 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

3h 31m 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 Essex, MD to Crisfield, MD covers 147.7 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, Shore Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73.9 miles from Essex, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.