Origin
Frederick, MD
Afternoon in Frederick on Thursday
Local time
4:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Frederick, MD to Annapolis, MD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
70.9 mi
114 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Annapolis, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Frederick, MD to Annapolis, MD covers 70.9 miles and takes about 1h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, I 97, Baltimore Beltway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.6 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.75 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 70.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 26m highway drive covering 70.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and I 97. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.6 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.2 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.9 miles you will encounter 21 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 29.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
29.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Baltimore
8
38.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
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 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Tows...
9
38.6 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91A
Toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
8
47.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
8
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital
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 24
Toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, An...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frederick, MD and Annapolis, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Towson and Glen Burnie.
Baltimore
29.2 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 70
Towson
38.4 mi in
|
~43m
Glen Burnie
38.4 mi in
|
~43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| I 97 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| John Hanson Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Roscoe Rowe Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North East Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 36.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and Annapolis, MD.
1
Start on MD 144
122 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Patrick Street
2
Turn right onto North Market Street
435 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Market Street
3
Turn right onto East Church Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Church Street
4
Turn right onto North East Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North East Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Enter roundabout onto East Street
101 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Street
6
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Street
7
Continue on MD 85
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
9
Merge onto I 70; US 40
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 70
Toward Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 91A
Toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 695
8.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on I 97
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 97
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 97
Toward Bay Bridge
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
20
Merge onto US 50; US 301
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
John Hanson Highway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 24
Toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South
23
Turn straight onto MD 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
24
Keep slight right at fork onto Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
25
Turn left onto Northwest Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Northwest Street
26
Enter roundabout onto School Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
School Street
27
Continue on School Street
137 ft
·
5 sec
·
School Street
28
Arrive at destination
School Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.5 mi from Frederick, MD · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.5 miles from Frederick, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Annapolis, MD
The final approach into Annapolis, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.75 one way
$23.51 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.87 | $25.75 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.75 | $27.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.65 | $31.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.20 | $2.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Annapolis, MD
Afternoon in Annapolis on Thursday
Local time
4:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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 26m 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 Frederick, MD to Annapolis, MD covers 70.9 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, I 97, Baltimore Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.5 miles from Frederick, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.75 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 70.9 miles you will encounter 21 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 29.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Frederick, MD and Annapolis, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Towson and Glen Burnie.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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