The drive from Mountain Lake Park, MD to Catonsville, MD covers 176.4 miles and takes about 3h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, National Freeway, Maryland Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.24 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.2 miles from Mountain Lake Park, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 176.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Mountain Lake Park, MD to Catonsville, MD covers 176.4 miles and takes about 3h 35m, 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 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71 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 37.5 miles in near I 68; US 40 / National Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 176.4 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 37.5 miles (I 68; US 40 / National Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
37.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 68; US 40 / National Freeway
Merge onto I 68; US 40 / National Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Baltimore
8
173 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
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 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Tows...
9
173.2 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91A
Toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
7
175.7 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward MD 144: Catonsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward MD 144: Catonsville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mountain Lake Park, MD to Catonsville, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Baltimore
163.9 mi in|~3h 19m|via I 70
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
71 mi
1h 16m
National Freeway
45.7 mi
51m
Maryland Highway
20.7 mi
31m
I 70
15.6 mi
16m
New Georges Creek Road Southwest
11.1 mi
17m
I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.3 mi
3m
Baltimore Beltway
1.9 mi
2m
Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 71 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Lake Park, MD and Catonsville, MD.
1
Start on MD 135
6.3 mi·9 min·Maryland Highway
2
Continue on MD 135
14 mi·21 min·Maryland Highway
3
Continue on MD 135
1.5 mi·2 min·Pratt Street
4
Continue on MD 135
0.3 mi·32 sec·Front Street
5
Turn left onto MD 36
7.4 mi·12 min·New Georges Creek Road Southwest
6
Continue on MD 36
1.0 mi·3 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on MD 36
1.7 mi·3 min·Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
8
Continue on MD 36
0.3 mi·40 sec·New Georges Creek Road Southwest
9
Turn right onto Paradise Street Southwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Paradise Street Southwest
10
Turn straight onto MD 36
3.3 mi·5 min·New Georges Creek Road Southwest
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto I 68; US 40
46 mi·51 min·National Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
3.3 mi·3 min·I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
15
Continue on I 70
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
6.5 mi·6 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
9.1 mi·9 min·I 70
Toward BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 91B-AToward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen BurnieUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 91AToward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen BurnieUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 695
1.9 mi·2 min·Baltimore Beltway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 13Toward MD 144: CatonsvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto MD 144
0.4 mi·1 min·Frederick Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right
37 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.2 miles from Mountain Lake Park, MD, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 39 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catonsville, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mountain Lake Park, 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 Mountain Lake Park, MD
This is one driving day of about 176.4 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Mountain Lake Park, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 71 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.2 mi from Mountain Lake Park, MD
· 1h 58m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Monocacy National Battlefield
National Battlefield
During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 133.8
23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$20
near mile 121.6
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$20
near mile 127.7
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 133.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.24 one way
$58.49 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$32.03
$64.06
premium
$4.93
$34.21
$68.42
diesel
$5.61
$38.95
$77.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.06
EV Truck/SUV
70.6
0
$24.70
$11.29
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Mountain Lake Park, MD
Evening
in Mountain Lake Park on Friday
Local time
8:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Catonsville, MD
Evening
in Catonsville on Friday
Local time
8:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Hancock, MD
88 mi in
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
27 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
3h 35m 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 Mountain Lake Park, MD to Catonsville, MD covers 176.4 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, National Freeway, Maryland Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.2 miles from Mountain Lake Park, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 176.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.5 miles (I 68; US 40 / National Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mountain Lake Park, MD to Catonsville, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
