Origin
La Plata, MD
Morning in La Plata on Saturday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Plata, MD to Frederick, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
85.4 mi
137 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Plata, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from La Plata, MD to Frederick, MD covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 270, Capital Beltway, Crain Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.9 miles on I 270. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.16 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
42.7 miles from La Plata, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in La Plata, MD
Full guide →La Plata is a city in Southern Maryland. It is the county seat of Charles County.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 85.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from La Plata, MD to Frederick, MD covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 270 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
503 ft
105 ft
Total Climb
568 ft
Total Descent
475 ft
Highest Point
503 ft
~67.1 mi in
Elevation Range
398 ft
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 14.4 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 14.4 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
14.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
MD 5 / Branch Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
7
23.3 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...
8
42.1 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
8
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
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 31
Toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Plata, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
College Park
23.3 mi in
|
~34m
Silver Spring
42.1 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 495
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 30.9 mi | 39m |
| Capital Beltway | 27.9 mi | 36m |
| Crain Highway | 14 mi | 22m |
| Branch Avenue | 9 mi | 11m |
| Buckeystown Pike | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Charles Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Carroll Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 270
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Plata, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on this road
9 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Kent Avenue
55 ft
·
3 sec
·
Kent Avenue
3
Turn right onto MD 6
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles Street
4
Turn right onto US 301
14 mi
·
22 min
·
Crain Highway
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Branch Avenue
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 95; I 495
18 mi
·
24 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 270
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
27 mi
·
34 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 31
Toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto MD 85
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Buckeystown Pike
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on MD 85
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
14
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
15
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
16
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Street
17
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East South Street
18
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Carroll Street
19
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Patrick Street
20
Arrive at destination
MD 144
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 42.7 miles from La Plata, MD, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 1h 1m 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 Frederick, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Plata, MD
This is one driving day of about 85.4 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from La Plata, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 270 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from La Plata, MD · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from La Plata, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Frederick, MD
The final approach into Frederick, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.16 one way
$28.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.51 | $31.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.56 | $33.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.86 | $37.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.47 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.96 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Frederick, MD
Morning in Frederick on Saturday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
11 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
1h 58m 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 Frederick, MD covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 270, Capital Beltway, Crain Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.7 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 $14.16 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 85.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 14.4 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between La Plata, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 105 ft to 503 ft elevation with about 568 ft of total climbing.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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