Drive Time
47m
Distance
32.5 mi
52 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: Styves Exantus
The drive from Severna Park, MD to College Park, MD covers 32.5 miles and takes about 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on John Hanson Highway, Governor Ritchie Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.1 miles on John Hanson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.38 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
16.3 miles from Severna Park, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Expect a 47m drive with frequent turns across 32.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cypress Creek Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 32.5 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (Cypress Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (US 50; US 301; MD 2 / Blue Star Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Cypress Creek Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward MD 2 South, US 301 South, US 50 West: Annapolis, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 50; US 301; MD 2 / Blue Star Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 410
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Knox Road
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Severna Park, MD to College Park, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John Hanson Highway | 20.1 mi | 24m |
| Governor Ritchie Highway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Veterans Parkway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| East-West Highway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Riverdale Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Cypress Creek Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Severna Park, MD and College Park, MD.
Start on MD 648
Turn left onto Cypress Creek Road
Turn right onto MD 2
Take the exit
Continue on MD 2
Merge onto US 50; US 301; MD 2
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
Take the exit
Turn right onto MD 410
Continue on MD 410
Continue on MD 410
Turn right onto US 1
Turn right onto Knox Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 32.5 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.3 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Park, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Severna 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 Severna Park, MD
This is one driving day of about 32.5 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.3 mi from Severna Park, MD · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 32.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.3 miles from Severna Park, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into College Park, 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 College Park, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.38 one way
$10.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| premium | $4.92 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.22 | $14.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.41 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.84 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Severna Park on Saturday
Local time
5:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in College Park on Saturday
Local time
5:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Staten Island, NY
16 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Severna Park, MD or browse trips ending in College Park, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
Explore maps for Severna Park, MD or College Park, MD on MapSof.net.
