If you are looking to travel from Kensington to Oakland, this 27.7-mile connection is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 37 minutes. Because the distance is so short, it is perfectly suited for a quick day trip rather than an overnight stay. You will navigate entirely through the Northeast region of Maryland, keeping your travel expenses low with an estimated fuel cost of just $5. Since there are no required stops along the way, you have the flexibility to complete the drive in one efficient push. It is a practical route for those needing to move between these two Maryland locations without the complexity of long-distance planning.
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
13.9 miles from Kensington, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 18m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel from start to finish. You will spend your entire journey on local roads like Brentwood Avenue, Kensington Avenue East, and Benfield Road, as the highway share for this route is 0%. Because this is a localized trip, there are no long, monotonous interstate stretches to contend with. Instead, the road requires your full attention as you navigate through the turns that define the character of this 27.7-mile path. It is a technical, low-speed drive that feels quite different from the typical highway commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Brentwood Avenue 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 Complexity1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Kensington, MD to Oakland, MD is easy. At 37m 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 Kensington, MD to Oakland, MD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Brentwood Avenue
—
—
Kensington Avenue East
—
—
Benfield Road
—
—
Robinson Road
—
—
Governor Ritchie Highway
—
—
US 301 South
—
—
Blue Star Memorial Highway
—
—
John Hanson Highway
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Brentwood Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington, MD and Oakland, MD.
1
Start on Banyon Avenue
404 ft·23 sec·Banyon Avenue
2
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
331 ft·17 sec·Brentwood Avenue
3
Turn right onto Kensington Avenue East
344 ft·18 sec·Kensington Avenue East
4
Turn left onto Benfield Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Benfield Road
5
Continue on Robinson Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Robinson Road
6
Turn right onto Governor Ritchie Highway
5.3 mi·7 min·Governor Ritchie Highway
7
Take the exit slight right toward MD 2 South, US 301 South, US 50 West: Annapolis, Washington
0.2 mi·29 sec·MD 2 South, US 301 South, US 50 West: Annapolis, Washington
8
Continue straight
0.3 mi·33 sec
9
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
1.9 mi·2 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
10
Continue on John Hanson Highway
0.5 mi·42 sec·John Hanson Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 2 South: Parole, Prince Frederick, Jennifer Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·MD 2 South: Parole, Prince Frederick, Jennifer Road
12
Keep slight left to continue on MD 2 South, MD 450: Parole, Prince Frederick
0.2 mi·30 sec·MD 2 South, MD 450: Parole, Prince Frederick
13
Turn left onto Solomons Island Road
4.6 mi·7 min·Solomons Island Road
14
Turn left onto Central Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Central Avenue
15
Turn right onto Muddy Creek Road
8.1 mi·12 min·Muddy Creek Road
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 37-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when choosing your departure time. Since this route relies exclusively on local streets, be prepared for frequent turns and potential traffic fluctuations typical of smaller roadways. You won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops, as the $5 fuel estimate covers the entire journey easily. My best advice for this specific drive is to stay alert at every intersection, as the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will be changing roads more often than on a standard highway trip. Enjoy the convenience of a short drive that gets you to your destination without the need for complex rest pacing.
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 13.9 miles from Kensington, MD, or about 18m 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 27.7 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.9 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, 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 27.7 miles and 37m.
At 27.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.9 mi from Kensington, MD
· 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from Kensington, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oakland, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Oakland, 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
$4.59 one way
$9.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg10 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$5.03
$10.06
premium
$4.93
$5.37
$10.74
diesel
$5.61
$6.12
$12.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 70% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
8.3
0
$2.91
$1.33
Efficient EV
6.9
0
$2.42
$1.11
EV Truck/SUV
11.1
0
$3.88
$1.77
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Kensington, MD
Evening
in Kensington on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SW 17 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Oakland, MD
Evening
in Oakland on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SW 16 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Oakland, MD covers 27.7 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Brentwood Avenue, Kensington Avenue East, Benfield Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.9 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 $4.59 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.
The drive from Kensington, MD to Oakland, MD is easy. At 37m 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 Kensington, MD to Oakland, MD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Kensington, MD to Oakland, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
