Trip from Essex, MD to Delmar, MD

Drive Time

2h 37m

Distance

107 mi

172 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 27m ★

6 AM

2h 37m

8 AM

2h 58m

10 AM

2h 44m

12 PM

2h 42m

3 PM

2h 45m

5 PM

2h 57m

8 PM

2h 31m

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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Delmar, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

Spanning 107 miles from Essex to Delmar, this Maryland journey typically takes 2 hours and 37 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward day trip that keeps you within the Northeast region for the entire duration. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a consistent path through the state.

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

53.5 miles from Essex, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as highways only account for 12% of the journey. You will navigate via the Blue Star Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, and Shore Highway, which keeps the experience engaging rather than repetitive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 19.1-mile segment along the Blue Star Memorial Highway. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, you should remain alert for shifting speed limits and frequent turns. It is a practical 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 40 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 0.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 107 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: Navigation decision point; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

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

Towns Along This Route

Between Essex, MD and Delmar, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Rehoboth.

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

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
Seashore Highway	7.5 mi	9m
US 50	6.9 mi	9m
Queen Anne Highway	6.2 mi	8m
Governor Ritchie Highway	6.1 mi	8m
Arundel Expressway	4.7 mi	6m

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 Delmar, 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

Turn right onto MD 54; DE 54

1.1 mi · 2 min · East State Street

Arrive at destination

MD 54; DE 54

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 37-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You should budget for at least one planned stop to break up the drive, which helps keep you refreshed on these winding local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $18 cost estimate assumes steady driving conditions. Since this route is not an interstate slog, prioritize staying focused on navigation to avoid missing turns on the more technical sections. Take advantage of the shorter distance to enjoy a relaxed pace without the pressure of a long-haul schedule.

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.

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

The halfway point lands around 53.5 miles from Essex, MD, or about 1h 21m 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 53.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delmar, 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 107 miles and 2h 37m.

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 53.5 mi from Essex, MD · 1h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

54 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 53.5 miles from Essex, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Delmar, MD

The final approach into Delmar, 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 Delmar, 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

$17.71 one way

$35.41 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$19.37	$38.75
premium	$4.92	$20.73	$41.47
diesel	$5.64	$23.77	$47.54

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

$18

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	32.1	$11.24	$5.14
Efficient EV	26.8	$9.36	$4.28
EV Truck/SUV	42.8	$14.98	$6.85

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast data refreshed 10 hours ago

Origin

Essex, MD

Evening in Essex on Sunday

Local time

6:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Delmar, MD

Evening in Delmar on Sunday

Local time

6:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°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

4 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

2h 37m 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 Delmar, MD covers 107 miles and takes about 2h 37m 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 53.5 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 $17.71 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.

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

Between Essex, MD and Delmar, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Rehoboth.

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Return Trip

Delmar, MD to Essex, MD

Plan the drive back the other way.

107.8 mi 2h 38m

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Trip from Essex, MD to Delmar, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Delmar, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Essex, MD

Delmar, MD

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 37m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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