The drive from Hanover, MD to California, MD covers 79.2 miles and takes about 1h 56m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Three Notch Road, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Capital Beltway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.7 miles on Three Notch Road.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.13 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
39.6 miles from Hanover, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 79.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 56m drive with frequent turns across 79.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Three Notch Road is the longest continuous segment at about 21.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward MD 295: Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, Washington
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 9A; 9B
Toward MD 295: Baltimore Washington Internation...
8
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 295 South: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9A
Toward MD 295 South: Washington
7
17.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andrews Air Force Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andre...
8
30.2 mi into trip|~44m 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...
7
43.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hanover, MD and California, MD, road signs point toward Andrews Air Force Base, Morningside, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
Andrews Air Force Base
17.5 mi in|~26m
Morningside
30.2 mi in|~44m
Lexington Park
43.2 mi in|~1h 4m|via MD 5
Leonardtown
43.2 mi in|~1h 4m|via MD 5
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Three Notch Road
21.7 mi
31m
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
14.8 mi
20m
Capital Beltway
12.4 mi
16m
Leonardtown Road
10.7 mi
15m
Branch Avenue
8.1 mi
10m
Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.2 mi
4m
MD 337
2.2 mi
4m
Crain Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Three Notch Road
— 21.7 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hanover, MD and California, MD.
1
Start on this road
68 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto Hanover Road
0.1 mi·25 sec·Hanover Road
3
Turn right onto Hi Tech Drive
0.4 mi·56 sec·Hi Tech Drive
4
Continue on Coca Cola Drive
1.2 mi·3 min·Coca Cola Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward MD 100 East: Glen BurnieUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto MD 100
408 ft·6 sec·Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
184 ft·4 sec
Exit 9A; 9BToward MD 295: Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 9AToward MD 295 South: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto MD 295
15 mi·20 min·Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andrews Air Force BaseUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 95; I 495
12 mi·16 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, MorningsideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto MD 337
426 ft·12 sec·Forestville Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto MD 337
2.2 mi·4 min·MD 337
Toward MD 337 South
15
Turn left
0.5 mi·39 sec
Toward MD 5 South: Waldorf
16
Merge onto MD 5
8.1 mi·10 min·Branch Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Crain Highway
18
Take the exit onto MD 5
0.3 mi·39 sec·MD 5
Toward Lexington Park, LeonardtownUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto MD 5
3.2 mi·4 min·Mattawoman Beantown Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto MD 5
11 mi·15 min·Leonardtown Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on MD 5
22 mi·31 min·Three Notch Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
0.2 mi·47 sec·Shady Mile Drive
23
Arrive at destination
Shady Mile Drive
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 39.6 miles from Hanover, MD, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 17 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 59m 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 39m
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 Hanover, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hanover, MD
This is one driving day of about 79.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Hanover, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Three Notch Road for about 21.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.6 mi from Hanover, MD
· 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Hanover, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$20
near mile 19.1
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 79.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.13 one way
$26.26 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.38
$28.76
premium
$4.93
$15.36
$30.72
diesel
$5.61
$17.49
$34.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.8
0
$8.32
$3.80
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.93
$3.17
EV Truck/SUV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Hanover, MD
Late night
in Hanover on Friday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
California, MD
Late night
in California on Friday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 56m 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 Hanover, MD to California, MD covers 79.2 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Three Notch Road, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Capital Beltway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.6 miles from Hanover, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.13 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 79.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hanover, MD and California, MD, road signs point toward Andrews Air Force Base, Morningside, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
