Origin
New Carrollton, MD
Evening in New Carrollton on Wednesday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Carrollton, MD to Essex, MD
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
58m
Distance
36.7 mi
59 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Carrollton, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 36.9 miles between New Carrollton and Essex, this Maryland journey is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 48 minutes to complete. Because the route is short and efficient, it works perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel for the entire drive, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating through the Northeast region, you will rely primarily on local roads rather than major interstates. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from one suburban area to another without the need for extensive travel 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
18.4 miles from New Carrollton, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this 36.9-mile route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating surface streets for the duration of the trip. You will spend your time winding through Lamont Drive, Good Luck Road, and Hanover Parkway as you transition between communities. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of road, the drive requires your full attention to manage the frequent turns. It is a technical, low-speed environment that feels very different from the typical interstate commute.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Baltimore-Washington Parkway and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 36.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward MD 295 North: Baltimore-Washington Parkway North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore-Washington Parkw...
6
26.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North: New York
6
28.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33 mi into trip
|
~49m 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
33.3 mi into trip
|
~49m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Washington Parkway | 23.7 mi | 32m |
| I 95 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Eastern Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Hanover Parkway | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Eastern Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Good Luck Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Lamont Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Greenbelt Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
— 23.7 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Carrollton, MD and Essex, MD.
1
Start on Carrollton Parkway
108 ft
·
8 sec
·
Carrollton Parkway
2
Turn right onto Lamont Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamont Drive
3
Turn right onto Good Luck Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Good Luck Road
4
Turn left onto Hanover Parkway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Hanover Parkway
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto Hanover Parkway
56 ft
·
1 sec
·
Hanover Parkway
6
Continue on Hanover Parkway
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Hanover Parkway
7
Enter roundabout onto Hanover Parkway
58 ft
·
1 sec
·
Hanover Parkway
8
Continue on Hanover Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hanover Parkway
9
Turn left onto MD 193
475 ft
·
19 sec
·
Greenbelt Road
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore-Washington Parkway North
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
24 mi
·
32 min
·
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: New York
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 59
Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto MD 150
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on MD 150
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Eastern Boulevard
19
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
211 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Taylor Avenue
20
Turn right
521 ft
·
38 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 48-minute drive with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You will not need to worry about long-distance fuel planning, as the $6 cost is minimal and easily managed. Given the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, keep your navigation tools handy to ensure you stay on track through the various intersections. Use the lack of scheduled stops to your advantage by choosing your own pace; you can comfortably complete the drive in under an hour without needing to break for rest. Pay close attention to signage on Lamont Drive and Good Luck Road to navigate the turns smoothly.
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 18.4 miles from New Carrollton, MD, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.7 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 36.7 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
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 New Carrollton, MD.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Carrollton, MD
This is one driving day of about 36.7 miles and 58m.
At 36.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Baltimore-Washington Parkway for about 23.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from New Carrollton, MD · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from New Carrollton, 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
$6.08 one way
$12.17 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.66 | $13.33 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.12 | $14.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.10 | $16.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.85 | $1.76 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.14 | $2.35 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
6:59 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
13 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
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 New Carrollton, MD to Essex, MD covers 36.7 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Baltimore-Washington Parkway, I 95, Eastern Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.4 miles from New Carrollton, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.08 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 16 decision points packed into just 36.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from New Carrollton, MD to Essex, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Essex, MD
More from New Carrollton, MD
More trips to Essex, MD
Explore more options from New Carrollton, MD or browse trips ending in Essex, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
Explore maps for New Carrollton, MD or Essex, MD on MapSof.net.