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Trip from Frederick, MD to Silver Hill, MD

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 23m

Distance

52.4 mi

84 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 17m ★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

Frederick, MD

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Silver Hill, MD, MD

Silver Hill, MD

Robert So

Trip Overview

The drive from Frederick, MD to Silver Hill, MD covers 52.4 miles and takes about 1h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Eisenhower Memorial Highway, I 270, Clara Barton Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.6 miles on Eisenhower Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.69 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 52.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Frederick, MD to Silver Hill, MD covers 52.4 miles and takes about 1h 23m, 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 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Eisenhower Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.6 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 31.3 miles in near I 270 Spur.

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 52.4 miles you will encounter 33 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 31.3 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (Cabin John Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.9 miles (Whitehurst Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 33 key points

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

8
31.3 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 270 Spur

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 Spur toward I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virginia

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virgini...
9
34.7 mi into trip | ~47m in | Cabin John Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto Cabin John Parkway toward Cabin John Parkway, Glen Echo

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 40 Toward Cabin John Parkway, Glen Echo
7
42.9 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | Whitehurst Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto Whitehurst Freeway toward US 29 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 29 North
8
45 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | 17th Street Northwest

At end of road, turn right onto 17th Street Northwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
48.1 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the exit toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard

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 1С Toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Bouleva...

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 Silver Hill, MD, road signs point toward Northern Virginia, Glen Echo and 11Th Street Southeast.

Northern Virginia

31.3 mi in | ~43m | via I 270 Spur

Glen Echo

34.7 mi in | ~47m | via Cabin John Parkway

11Th Street Southeast

48.1 mi in | ~1h 12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Eisenhower Memorial Highway 21.6 mi 27m
I 270 6.6 mi 9m
Clara Barton Parkway 3.3 mi 6m
Canal Road Northwest 3.1 mi 6m
I 270 Spur 2 mi 2m
Cabin John Parkway 1.7 mi 2m
Buckeystown Pike 1.7 mi 3m
Capital Beltway 1.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Eisenhower Memorial Highway — 21.6 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and Silver Hill, 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

1.7 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 270 South
9

Merge onto I 270

22 mi · 27 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Use the right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270

6.6 mi · 9 min · I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 Spur

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 270 Spur
Toward I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virginia Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Merge onto I 495

1.4 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto Cabin John Parkway

1.7 mi · 2 min · Cabin John Parkway
Exit 40 Toward Cabin John Parkway, Glen Echo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on Clara Barton Parkway

3.3 mi · 6 min · Clara Barton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on Canal Road Northwest

3.1 mi · 6 min · Canal Road Northwest
16

Keep slight right at fork onto Whitehurst Freeway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Whitehurst Freeway
Toward US 29 North Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 66

0.5 mi · 35 sec · I 66
Toward I 66 West: E Street Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto I 66

393 ft · 9 sec · I 66
Toward E Street Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward E Street
20

Continue on E Street Expressway

0.3 mi · 23 sec · E Street Expressway
21

Continue on E Street Northwest

0.3 mi · 34 sec · E Street Northwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
22

At end of road, turn right onto 17th Street Northwest

0.2 mi · 22 sec · 17th Street Northwest
Use the right lane.
23

Continue on 17th Street Southwest

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest
24

Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest

293 ft · 9 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
25

Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 395 North
29

Merge onto I 395

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Southwest Freeway
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 695

1.2 mi · 1 min · Southeast Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Exit 1С Toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
32

Turn right onto 11th Street Southeast

0.3 mi · 45 sec · 11th Street Southeast
Use the right lane.
33

Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
34

Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
35

Turn right onto Naylor Road Southeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · Naylor Road Southeast
Use the right lane.
36

At end of road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast

204 ft · 6 sec · Southern Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
37

Continue on MD 637

0.3 mi · 52 sec · Naylor Road
38

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

104 ft · 2 sec · Naylor Road
39

Continue on MD 637

386 ft · 11 sec · Naylor Road
40

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

112 ft · 2 sec · Naylor Road
41

Continue on MD 637

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Naylor Road
42

Merge onto MD 5

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Branch Avenue
Use the right lane.
43

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5

260 ft · 9 sec · Branch Avenue
44

Turn left onto MD 414

73 ft · 3 sec · Bonita Street
45

Turn right onto MD 414

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Old Silver Hill Road
46

Arrive at destination

MD 414

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 26.2 mi from Frederick, MD · 36m into the drive

Downtown Arlington, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Arlington, VA

26 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

Germantown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from Frederick, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Silver Hill, MD

The final approach into Silver Hill, 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

$8.69 one way

$17.37 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $9.51 $19.03
premium $4.93 $10.16 $20.32
diesel $5.61 $11.57 $23.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.7 0 $5.50 $2.52
Efficient EV 13.1 0 $4.59 $2.10
EV Truck/SUV 21 0 $7.34 $3.35

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Frederick, MD

Night in Frederick on Thursday

Local time

9:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Silver Hill, MD

Night in Silver Hill on Thursday

Local time

9:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Arlington, VA

26 mi in

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 23m 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 Silver Hill, MD covers 52.4 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Eisenhower Memorial Highway, I 270, Clara Barton Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.2 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 $8.69 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 52.4 miles you will encounter 33 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 31.3 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (Cabin John Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.9 miles (Whitehurst Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Frederick, MD and Silver Hill, MD, road signs point toward Northern Virginia, Glen Echo and 11Th Street Southeast.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Silver Hill, MD to Frederick, MD

Plan the drive back the other way.

52.1 mi 1h 22m

Explore more options from Frederick, MD or browse trips ending in Silver Hill, MD.

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