The drive from Hagerstown, MD to La Plata, MD covers 108.6 miles and takes about 2h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Capital Beltway, Eisenhower Memorial Highway, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.7 miles on Capital Beltway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.00 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
54.3 miles from Hagerstown, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Capital Beltway
25.7 mi
33m
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
29m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
21.1 mi
22m
Crain Highway
13.6 mi
21m
I 270
9.4 mi
12m
Branch Avenue
8.1 mi
10m
Dual Highway
3.3 mi
6m
MD 337
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 25.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hagerstown, MD and La Plata, MD.
1
Start on US 40
0.4 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
2
Continue on US 40
3.3 mi·6 min·Dual Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70 East: Frederick
4
Merge onto I 70
21 mi·22 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
5
Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 53
0.4 mi·51 sec·I 70 Exit 53
Exit 53Toward I 270 South: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
6
Continue on I 270
23 mi·29 min·Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
6.6 mi·9 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
2.8 mi·3 min·I 270
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College ParkUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 495
26 mi·33 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, MorningsideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto MD 337
426 ft·12 sec·Forestville Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Turn slight right onto MD 337
2.2 mi·4 min·MD 337
Toward MD 337 South
13
Turn left
0.5 mi·39 sec
Toward MD 5 South: Waldorf
14
Merge onto MD 5
8.1 mi·10 min·Branch Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
14 mi·21 min·Crain Highway
16
Turn left onto MD 6
0.4 mi·1 min·Charles Street
17
Turn left onto Kent Avenue
55 ft·3 sec·Kent Avenue
18
Turn right
9 ft·0 sec
19
Arrive at destination
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 54.3 miles from Hagerstown, MD, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.7 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Plata, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hagerstown, 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 Hagerstown, MD
This is one driving day of about 108.6 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Hagerstown, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 25.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.1 and 83.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
25.1 mi into trip|~30m in|I 70 Exit 53
Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 53 toward I 270 South: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward I 270 South: Washington
6
48.4 mi into trip|~1h in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
55 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
8
83.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate...
6
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|MD 337 / Forestville Road
Turn right onto MD 337 / Forestville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.00 one way
$36.01 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.72
$39.44
premium
$4.93
$21.06
$42.12
diesel
$5.61
$23.98
$47.96
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 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.6
0
$11.40
$5.21
Efficient EV
27.2
0
$9.50
$4.34
EV Truck/SUV
43.4
0
$15.20
$6.95
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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Hagerstown, MD
Afternoon
in Hagerstown on Saturday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Plata, MD
Afternoon
in La Plata on Saturday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Monocacy National Battlefield
National Battlefield
During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...
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...
23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 37.4
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 2h 27m drive with frequent turns across 108.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 25.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.1 miles in near I 70 Exit 53.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 108.6 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: at 25.1 miles (I 70 Exit 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hagerstown, MD and La Plata, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Morningside.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 108.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hagerstown, MD to La Plata, MD covers 108.6 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Eisenhower Memorial Highway, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.3 miles from Hagerstown, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.00 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 108.6 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: at 25.1 miles (I 70 Exit 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hagerstown, MD and La Plata, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Morningside.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Monocacy National Battlefield, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Antietam National Battlefield. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
