Origin
Essex, MD
Evening in Essex on Sunday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Essex, MD to North Bel Air, MD
Drive Time
36m
Distance
24.4 mi
39 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 33m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Bel Air, MD
William Finn
Trip Overview
Traveling from Essex to North Bel Air covers a modest 25.5 miles, making this a quick 35-minute journey perfect for a simple day trip. You will navigate primarily via North Woodward Drive, Eastern Boulevard, and MD 702 North as you head through Maryland’s Northeast region. Given the short duration, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay; it is easily manageable in a single outing. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the trip is highly economical for most vehicles. This route serves as a straightforward connection between these two Maryland communities, offering a practical alternative to longer, more complex transit options.
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
12.2 miles from Essex, 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 high-speed interstate haul, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads that require your full attention due to the frequent turns and urban transitions. Because there is no long, uninterrupted stretch, the drive feels consistent and steady from start to finish. You should prepare for a rhythm defined by local traffic patterns rather than the open-road cruising typical of major expressways. Staying alert at intersections is key, as the character of the road changes frequently as you transition through the local landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.5 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 4.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 24.4 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward I 95 South, I 95 North: Baltimore, New Y...
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North: New York
8
17.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 77A
Toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
7
17.5 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
7
23.8 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
US 1 Business; MD 924 / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 1 Business; MD 924 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Essex, MD and North Bel Air, MD, road signs point toward New York and Edgewood.
New York
4.5 mi in
|
~8m
Edgewood
17.1 mi in
|
~23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Southeast Freeway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Eastern Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Baltimore Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Marketplace Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
— 11.5 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex, MD and North Bel Air, MD.
1
Start on this road
327 ft
·
25 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto North Woodward Drive
187 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Woodward Drive
3
Turn left onto MD 150
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Eastern Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward MD 702 North: Beltway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto MD 702
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 695
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 33
Toward I 95 South, I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: New York
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
13 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 77A
Toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
Use the slight left lane.
12
Turn left onto MD 24
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto Marketplace Drive
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Marketplace Drive
14
Continue on South Atwood Road
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Atwood Road
15
Turn right onto US 1 Business
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Baltimore Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 1 Business
363 ft
·
17 sec
·
Fulford Avenue
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto US 1 Business; MD 924
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1 Business; MD 924
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Arrive at destination
MD 924
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 35-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak local traffic hours will ensure the drive stays within that estimated timeframe. You won't need to plan for scheduled stops given the short distance, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave; while $4 should cover the journey, filling up in Essex before you depart is a smart way to avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Use the turn-heavy nature of the route to your advantage by double-checking your navigation app before pulling out of your driveway to ensure you are ready for the various road transitions ahead.
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 12.2 miles from Essex, MD, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.5 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 24.4 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.2 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Bel Air, 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 24.4 miles and 36m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway for about 11.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.2 mi from Essex, 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 24.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.2 miles from Essex, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in North Bel Air, MD
The final approach into North Bel Air, 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 North Bel Air, 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
$4.04 one way
$8.08 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.42 | $8.84 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.73 | $9.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.42 | $10.84 |
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 · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.56 | $1.17 |
| Efficient EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.14 | $0.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Destination
North Bel Air, MD
Evening in North Bel Air on Sunday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
36m 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 North Bel Air, MD covers 24.4 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, Southeast Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.2 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 $4.04 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 14 significant decision points across 24.4 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Essex, MD and North Bel Air, MD, road signs point toward New York and Edgewood.
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