Origin
Frederick, MD
Afternoon in Frederick on Wednesday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Frederick, MD to California, MD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
108.9 mi
175 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
California, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 108.9 miles across Maryland, this trip connects Frederick to California in approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend about $18 on fuel for the journey, making this an economical choice for a weekend outing. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including North Market Street, East Church Street, and North East Street, rather than relying on major interstates. Keep in mind that this is a turn-heavy local drive, so it requires more active attention than a straightforward highway cruise.
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
54.4 miles from Frederick, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is entirely local, featuring zero highway driving. You will spend your time navigating a series of turns that demand your full focus as you transition between Maryland locales. Because the drive consists of 100% local roads, your pace will be dictated by traffic patterns and intersection navigation rather than high-speed cruising. The path provides a hands-on experience behind the wheel, offering a stark contrast to typical highway travel. Prepare for a technical drive where the road conditions change frequently as you make your way through the varied streetscapes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Market Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Frederick, MD to California, MD is easy. At 2h 32m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Frederick, MD to California, MD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Church Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North East Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Buckeystown Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 270 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eisenhower Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Capital Beltway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Market Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and California, MD.
1
Start on East Patrick Street
121 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Patrick Street
2
Turn right onto North Market Street
436 ft
·
19 sec
·
North Market Street
3
Turn right onto East Church Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Church Street
4
Turn right onto North East Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North East Street
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
6
Exit the roundabout onto East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
7
Continue on Buckeystown Pike
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Buckeystown Pike
8
Take the ramp straight toward I 270 South
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 270 South
9
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22 mi
·
27 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left
6.6 mi
·
9 min
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
12
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
26 mi
·
33 min
·
Capital Beltway
13
Take the exit slight right toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
14
Turn right onto Forestville Road
427 ft
·
12 sec
·
Forestville Road
15
Turn slight right onto MD 337 South
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
MD 337 South
16
Turn left onto MD 5 South: Waldorf
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
MD 5 South: Waldorf
17
Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Branch Avenue
18
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Crain Highway
19
Take the exit slight left toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Lexington Park, Leonardtown
20
Merge slight right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Mattawoman Beantown Road
21
Turn left onto Leonardtown Road
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Leonardtown Road
22
Continue on Three Notch Road
22 mi
·
31 min
·
Three Notch Road
23
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Shady Mile Drive
24
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 108.9-mile trip, aim to depart early to avoid the peak congestion that often impacts local roads in the Northeast region. While the duration is manageable at 2 hours and 32 minutes, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the constant turning. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your tank is topped off before you leave Frederick, as local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway speeds. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure time to bypass the heaviest local traffic windows. Most importantly, stay alert for frequent turns, as the lack of highway segments means you will be making directional changes consistently throughout the drive.
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 54.4 miles from Frederick, MD, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.4 miles or 1h 16m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near California, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Frederick, 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 Frederick, MD
This is one driving day of about 108.9 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Frederick, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.4 mi from Frederick, MD · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.4 miles from Frederick, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in California, MD
The final approach into California, 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 California, 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
$18.05 one way
$36.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.77 | $39.55 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.12 | $42.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.43 | $5.23 |
| Efficient EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.25 | $6.97 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
California, MD
Afternoon in California on Wednesday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
15 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
2h 32m 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 California, MD covers 108.9 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Market Street, East Church Street, North East Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.4 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 $18.05 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.
The drive from Frederick, MD to California, MD is easy. At 2h 32m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Frederick, MD to California, MD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Frederick, MD to California, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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