Origin
Gwynn Oak, MD
Night in Gwynn Oak on Sunday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gwynn Oak, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gwynn Oak, MD
Iqbal farooz
Charlotte Hall, MD
Lubomir Satko
Trip Overview
Spanning 72.1 miles, the drive from Gwynn Oak to Charlotte Hall is a straightforward journey through Maryland that typically takes 1 hour and 46 minutes. Because this trip is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable option for your commute or regional travel. You will transition from the suburban feel of the Northeast region toward the more rural landscapes found in Charlotte Hall. This route offers a practical, mixed-drive experience that is best suited for those looking for efficiency rather than a leisurely multi-day tour.
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
36 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience as you navigate a mix of road types, including MD 3, Crain Highway, and Leonardtown Road. With a highway share of 38 percent, the route balances faster stretches with more localized driving. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on MD 3, where you will cover 18.2 miles of road. The transition between these different highway segments means you should be prepared for changing speed limits and traffic patterns. Overall, the drive feels like a functional progression through Maryland's infrastructure, requiring you to remain alert as you move from major thoroughfares onto secondary roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MD 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.2 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 early in the drive near Haddon Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 72.1 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: near the start (Haddon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Haddon Avenue
Turn right onto Haddon Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie
8
12.4 mi into trip
|
~22m 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
22.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
MD 3
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3 toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
7
55.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
MD 5
Take the exit onto MD 5 toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Towns Along This Route
Between Gwynn Oak, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward Crofton, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
Crofton
22.1 mi in
|
~33m
|
via MD 3
Lexington Park
55.9 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via MD 5
Leonardtown
55.9 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via MD 5
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MD 3 | 18.2 mi | 26m |
| Crain Highway | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| Leonardtown Road | 10.7 mi | 15m |
| I 97 | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| Mattawoman Beantown Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Ingleside Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West Forest Park Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
MD 3
— 18.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gwynn Oak, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD.
1
Start on this road
60 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Haddon Avenue
178 ft
·
11 sec
·
Haddon Avenue
3
Turn left onto Hillsdale Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Hillsdale Road
4
Turn slight right onto West Forest Park Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Forest Park Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on Ingleside Avenue
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Ingleside Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn right onto US 40
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Baltimore National Pike
Use the none lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 695
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
10
Continue on I 97
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 97
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3
18 mi
·
26 min
·
MD 3
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 301
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto MD 5
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
MD 5
Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto MD 5
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Mattawoman Beantown Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto MD 5
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Leonardtown Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on MD 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Three Notch Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto Golden Beach Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Golden Beach Road
18
Turn left onto Charlotte Hall Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Charlotte Hall Road
19
Turn left
170 ft
·
12 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 46 minute travel time, especially when navigating the transition between MD 3 and Crain Highway. Given the $12 fuel cost, topping off your tank before you leave Gwynn Oak is a smart way to avoid unnecessary pit stops along the way. Stay focused on your navigation when switching between the major state routes, as the road character shifts from highway speed to local traffic. If you find yourself needing a break, utilize the transition points between the major roads to stretch your legs before completing the final leg of your journey.
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 36 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 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 72.1 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 53m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte Hall, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gwynn Oak, 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 Gwynn Oak, MD
This is one driving day of about 72.1 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gwynn Oak, 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 MD 3 for about 18.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36 mi from Gwynn Oak, MD · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Charlotte Hall, MD
The final approach into Charlotte Hall, 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 Charlotte Hall, 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
$11.93 one way
$23.86 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $13.05 | $26.11 |
| premium | $4.92 | $13.97 | $27.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.02 | $32.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
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
Charlotte Hall, MD
Night in Charlotte Hall on Sunday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
22 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 46m 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 Gwynn Oak, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD covers 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MD 3, Crain Highway, Leonardtown Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.93 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 72.1 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: near the start (Haddon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gwynn Oak, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward Crofton, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
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