Origin
Kensington, MD
Evening in Kensington on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kensington, MD to Essex, MD
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
37m
Distance
23.5 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kensington, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning just 25.6 miles, this trip between Kensington and Essex is a quick, straightforward journey across Maryland. You can easily complete the drive in about 33 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is an economical choice for those looking to travel between these two Northeast locations. Because the duration is so short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. It serves as a practical, no-fuss connection that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary overhead.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
11.7 miles from Kensington, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains 0% highway travel. You will be navigating local roads for the entire 25.6-mile duration, requiring your full attention as you transition through various neighborhoods. Since there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the pace remains steady and demands constant engagement with your surroundings. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience where the road surface and traffic patterns shift frequently. This is an ideal route for those who prefer local navigation over the monotony of major freeways.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 8.3 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 0.1 miles in near Brentwood Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 23.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Brentwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Brentwood Avenue
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 97
Merge onto I 97
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
18.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward Boston Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11A
Toward Boston Street
7
19.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59
Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
9
20 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 97 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Harbor Tunnel Thruway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Eastern Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Harbor Tunnel Throughway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Benfield Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Baltimore Harbor Tunnel | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Benfield Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Eastern Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 97
— 8.3 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington, MD and Essex, MD.
1
Start on Banyon Avenue
404 ft
·
23 sec
·
Banyon Avenue
2
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
332 ft
·
16 sec
·
Brentwood Avenue
3
Turn right onto Kensington Avenue East
343 ft
·
18 sec
·
Kensington Avenue East
4
Turn right onto Benfield Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Benfield Road
5
Continue on Benfield Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Benfield Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
7
Merge onto I 97
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
9
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
11
Continue on I 895
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 11A
Toward Boston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff
520 ft
·
14 sec
·
O'Donnell Street Cutoff
14
Turn left onto Interstate Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Interstate Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 95 North: New York
16
Merge onto I 95
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 59
Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto MD 150
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on MD 150
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Eastern Boulevard
21
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
211 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Taylor Avenue
22
Turn right
521 ft
·
38 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 33-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to build in extra time for rest stops or meal breaks, though keeping a small buffer for local traffic is always a wise move. Given the low $4 fuel cost, you can comfortably make the trip on a single tank without seeking out specialized service stations. Because the path relies entirely on local roads, check your GPS settings before you head out to ensure you are comfortable with the specific turns suggested. Using a navigation app will help you manage the various turns efficiently as you move across the region.
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 11.7 miles from Kensington, MD, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.3 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 23.5 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.7 miles or 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Kensington, MD.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kensington, MD
This is one driving day of about 23.5 miles and 37m.
At 23.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 97 for about 8.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.7 mi from Kensington, MD · 16m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.7 miles from Kensington, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Essex, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Essex, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.90 one way
$7.79 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.27 | $8.53 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(3.4 mi)
$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.47 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Essex, MD
Evening in Essex on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
37m 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 Kensington, MD to Essex, MD covers 23.5 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 97, Harbor Tunnel Thruway, Eastern Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.7 miles from Kensington, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.90 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 short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 23.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Brentwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kensington, MD to Essex, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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