The drive from Fort Washington, MD to Aberdeen, MD covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 56m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Baltimore-Washington Parkway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Express Toll Lanes for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27 miles on Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.9 miles from Fort Washington, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 81.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Fort Washington, MD to Aberdeen, MD covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 56m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 27 miles.
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 13.4 miles in near DC 295 / Anacostia Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 13.4 miles (DC 295 / Anacostia Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
13.4 mi into trip|~24m in|DC 295 / Anacostia Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto DC 295 / Anacostia Freeway toward DC 295 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward DC 295 North
7
18.5 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Baltimore
8
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward MD 22: Aberdeen, Churchville
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 85
Toward MD 22: Aberdeen, Churchville
10
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 22: Aberdeen, Churchville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 85
Toward MD 22: Aberdeen, Churchville
8
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 132: Aberdeen Town Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 132: Aberdeen Town Center
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Washington, MD and Aberdeen, MD, road signs point toward Dhs and Baltimore.
Dhs
11 mi in|~20m
Baltimore
18.5 mi in|~32m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27 mi
37m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
15.3 mi
17m
Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi
9m
Indian Head Highway
7.6 mi
12m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
7 mi
10m
Anacostia Freeway
4.9 mi
8m
Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.3 mi
3m
West Bel Air Avenue
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
— 27 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington, MD and Aberdeen, MD.
1
Start on Warburton Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Warburton Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Fort Washington Road
0.3 mi·54 sec·Fort Washington Road
3
Turn right onto Old Fort Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Fort Road
4
Turn left onto MD 210
7.6 mi·12 min·Indian Head Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi·3 min·South Capitol Street
6
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHSUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 295 North
8
Merge onto I 295
2.2 mi·3 min·Anacostia Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto DC 295
2.7 mi·4 min·Anacostia Freeway
Toward DC 295 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on DC 295
2.3 mi·3 min·Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·24 sec
Toward BaltimoreUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27 mi·37 min·Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ThruwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 895
1.1 mi·1 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
15
Continue on I 895
1.0 mi·1 min·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
16
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi·3 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi·2 min·Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
18
Continue on I 895
3.7 mi·5 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
8.5 mi·9 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
297 ft·3 sec
21
Merge onto I 95
15 mi·17 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 85Toward MD 22: Aberdeen, ChurchvilleUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 85Toward MD 22: Aberdeen, ChurchvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward MD 132: Aberdeen Town CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto MD 132
1.7 mi·3 min·West Bel Air Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
MD 132
Trip Plan
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 40.9 miles from Fort Washington, MD, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 18 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aberdeen, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Washington, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Washington, MD
This is one driving day of about 81.8 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Fort Washington, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Baltimore-Washington Parkway for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.9 mi from Fort Washington, MD
· 1h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.9 miles from Fort Washington, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Aberdeen, MD
The final approach into Aberdeen, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$20
near mile 14.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.56 one way
$27.12 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.85
$29.71
premium
$4.93
$15.86
$31.73
diesel
$5.61
$18.06
$36.12
Estimated Tolls: $0.49
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(7 mi)$0.49
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
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.5
0
$8.59
$3.93
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.16
$3.27
EV Truck/SUV
32.7
0
$11.45
$5.24
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Washington, MD
Late night
in Fort Washington on Saturday
Local time
3:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Aberdeen, MD
Late night
in Aberdeen on Saturday
Local time
3:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
31 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
1h 56m 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 Fort Washington, MD to Aberdeen, MD covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Baltimore-Washington Parkway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Express Toll Lanes. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.9 miles from Fort Washington, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.56 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 81.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 13.4 miles (DC 295 / Anacostia Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Washington, MD and Aberdeen, MD, road signs point toward Dhs and Baltimore.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
