Trip from La Plata, MD to Essex, MD

Drive Time

1h 42m

Distance

67.7 mi

109 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 35m ★

6 AM

1h 42m

8 AM

1h 57m

10 AM

1h 48m

12 PM

1h 46m

3 PM

1h 48m

5 PM

1h 57m

8 PM

1h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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La Plata, MD

Miguel Cuenca

Trip Overview

Connecting La Plata to Essex, this 72-mile journey across Maryland takes approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend about $12 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable transit between these two Northeast locations. Navigating through local roads like Kent Avenue, Charles Street, and Crain Highway defines the experience rather than high-speed interstate travel. This route is a straightforward practical connection that serves as a reliable way to get from the La Plata area up to Essex without the complexity of a long-haul cross-country drive.

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

33.8 miles from La Plata, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a zero percent highway share. You will spend your time navigating through local thoroughfares, which requires a bit more focus than cruising on a wide-open expressway. Since the entire 72-mile distance relies on local roads like Crain Highway, the driving experience remains consistent from start to finish. There are no exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches, so be prepared for a drive that demands constant attention to turns and transitions. It is a functional path that favors local road navigation over the high-speed, limited-access style of travel found on major interstates.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Crain Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 27 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 45.4 miles in near I 97.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 67.7 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 45.4 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles (Interstate Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

45.4 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | I 97

Merge onto I 97

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

62.6 mi into trip | ~1h 30m 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

62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | Interstate Avenue

Turn left onto Interstate Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

63.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m 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

64.2 mi into trip | ~1h 33m 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
Crain Highway	27 mi	40m
South East Crain Highway	10.8 mi	15m
I 97	10.4 mi	12m
Robert Crain Highway	7.1 mi	11m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway	3.4 mi	5m
Eastern Avenue	2.3 mi	4m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway	2 mi	2m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Crain Highway — 27 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Plata, MD and Essex, MD.

Start on this road

9 ft · 4 sec · this road

Turn left onto Kent Avenue

55 ft · 3 sec · Kent Avenue

Turn right onto MD 6

0.4 mi · 1 min · Charles Street

Turn right onto US 301

14 mi · 22 min · Crain Highway

Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 301

13 mi · 18 min · Crain Highway

Continue on US 301

11 mi · 15 min · South East Crain Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on MD 3; MD 450

7.1 mi · 11 min · Robert Crain Highway

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 97

10 mi · 12 min · I 97

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

2.0 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Continue on I 895

2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 895

1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

Continue on I 895

1.2 mi · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 11A Toward Boston Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff

520 ft · 14 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff

Turn left onto Interstate Avenue

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Interstate Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 95 North: New York

Merge onto I 95

0.6 mi · 51 sec · I 95

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Exit 59 Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

256 ft · 8 sec

Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex Use the right lane.

Turn right onto MD 150

2.3 mi · 4 min · Eastern Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on MD 150

1.0 mi · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

211 ft · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue

Turn right

521 ft · 38 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 32 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since this route involves zero scheduled stops, you should factor in your own breaks along the way to stay refreshed during the turn-heavy segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as the $12 estimated cost is based on current projections and can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because you are relying on local roads like Charles Street, allow for extra time if you are traveling during peak commuting hours when local congestion is most likely. Using GPS navigation is highly recommended to help you manage the frequent turns required to stay on course between La Plata and Essex.

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 33.8 miles from La Plata, MD, or about 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 67.7 miles or 1h 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 33.8 miles or 51m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving La Plata, 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 La Plata, MD

This is one driving day of about 67.7 miles and 1h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from La Plata, 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 Crain Highway for about 27 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 33.8 mi from La Plata, MD · 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

34 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.8 miles from La Plata, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Essex, MD

The final approach into Essex, 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 Essex, 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

$11.20 one way

$22.40 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$12.26	$24.52
premium	$4.92	$13.12	$26.24
diesel	$5.64	$15.04	$30.08

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

$11

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	20.3	$7.11	$3.25
Efficient EV	16.9	$5.92	$2.71
EV Truck/SUV	27.1	$9.48	$4.33

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 13 hours ago

Origin

La Plata, MD

Night in La Plata on Sunday

Local time

10:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Essex, MD

Night in Essex on Sunday

Local time

10:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°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

19 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

1h 42m 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 La Plata, MD to Essex, MD covers 67.7 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Crain Highway, South East Crain Highway, I 97. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 33.8 miles from La Plata, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.20 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 route from La Plata, MD to Essex, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from La Plata, MD to Essex, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Essex, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

La Plata, MD

Essex, MD

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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