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Trip from Saint Charles, MD to Laurel, MD

Drive Time

1h

Distance

40.9 mi

66 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 15 min
4 AM
0h 55m ★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m

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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Downtown Saint Charles, MD, MD

Saint Charles, MD

RDNE Stock project

Downtown Laurel, MD, MD

Laurel, MD

Wyxina Tresse

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Charles, MD to Laurel, MD covers 40.9 miles and takes about 1h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Capital Beltway, Branch Avenue, Crain Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.2 miles on Capital Beltway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.77 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

20.4 miles from Saint Charles, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h drive with frequent turns across 40.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.2 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 8.4 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 40.9 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 8.4 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

7
8.4 mi into trip | ~13m 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
17.3 mi into trip | ~25m 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
31.9 mi into trip | ~45m in

Take the exit toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 22A Toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Balt...
9
32.2 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washi...
7
37.1 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward MD 197: Laurel, Bowie

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MD 197: Laurel, Bowie

Towns Along This Route

Between Saint Charles, MD and Laurel, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Baltimore North, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Bowie.

College Park

17.3 mi in | ~25m

Baltimore North

31.9 mi in | ~45m

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

32.2 mi in | ~46m

Bowie

37.1 mi in | ~53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Capital Beltway 14.2 mi 19m
Branch Avenue 9 mi 11m
Crain Highway 8.4 mi 13m
Baltimore-Washington Parkway 4.7 mi 6m
Laurel Bowie Road 2.9 mi 4m
Fort Meade Road 0.3 mi <1m
Talbott Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Capital Beltway — 14.2 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MD and Laurel, MD.

1

Start on US 301

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Crain Highway
2

Continue on US 301

8.0 mi · 13 min · Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
3

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.
4

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park Use the slight right lane.
5

Merge onto I 95; I 495

14 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 22A Toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

4.7 mi · 6 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward MD 197: Laurel, Bowie Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward MD 197: Laurel
11

Turn straight onto MD 197

2.9 mi · 4 min · Laurel Bowie Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Turn left onto MD 198

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Fort Meade Road
13

Continue on MD 198

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Talbott Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Turn left

86 ft · 2 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Arrive at destination

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 20.4 miles from Saint Charles, MD, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.2 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 40.9 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 20.4 miles or 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 49m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Charles, 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 Saint Charles, MD

This is one driving day of about 40.9 miles and 1h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Charles, 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 Capital Beltway for about 14.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.4 mi from Saint Charles, MD · 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

20 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 40.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.4 miles from Saint Charles, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Laurel, MD

The final approach into Laurel, 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 Laurel, MD.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

20 mi from route ~49 min detour $20 near mile 32.4
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.77 one way

$13.54 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $7.41 $14.81
premium $4.92 $7.93 $15.85
diesel $5.64 $9.09 $18.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

White Plains, MD

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Waldorf, MD

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Brandywine, MD

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Camp Springs, MD

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

District Heights, MD

Tesla

8 DCFC

Royal Farms 278 (Oxon Hill, MD)

Oxon Hill, MD

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Coral Hills Shopping Center

Capitol Heights, MD

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Waldorf Ford

Waldorf, MD

EV Connect

4 DCFC

SWTCH: 6 Tesla: 5 eVgo Network: 3 ChargePoint Network: 3 EV Connect: 1 Blink Network: 1 Electrify America: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.3 0 $4.29 $1.96
Efficient EV 10.2 0 $3.58 $1.64
EV Truck/SUV 16.4 0 $5.73 $2.62

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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 1 day ago

Origin

Saint Charles, MD

Morning in Saint Charles on Monday

Local time

9:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laurel, MD

Morning in Laurel on Monday

Local time

9:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

26 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 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 Saint Charles, MD to Laurel, MD covers 40.9 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Branch Avenue, Crain Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.4 miles from Saint Charles, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.77 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 40.9 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 8.4 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Saint Charles, MD and Laurel, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Baltimore North, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Bowie.

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