Origin
Silver Spring, MD
Evening in Silver Spring on Sunday
Local time
7:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Silver Spring, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
51.5 mi
83 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Silver Spring, MD
RDNE Stock project
Charlotte Hall, MD
Lubomir Satko
Trip Overview
Traveling from Silver Spring to Charlotte Hall covers 51.5 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip, as it is short enough to complete in a single outing without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Capital Beltway, Branch Avenue, and Leonardtown Road. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel should comfortably cover your trip expenses. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast region of Maryland, you can expect a familiar transition from suburban outskirts toward more rural stretches. It is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over long-distance exploration.
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
25.8 miles from Silver Spring, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions from high-speed corridors to more technical road segments. Only 5% of this 51.5-mile journey is spent on the highway, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the initial 20.2 miles on the Capital Beltway. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the road shifts significantly, requiring more focus as you navigate the turns along Branch Avenue and Leonardtown Road. You will find that this trip demands more engagement behind the wheel than a standard interstate commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 20.2 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 early in the drive.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 51.5 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 29 / Georgia Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 29 / Georgia Avenue
Merge onto US 29 / Georgia Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
22.3 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
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 9
Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate...
6
22.5 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
MD 337 / Forestville Road
Turn right onto MD 337 / Forestville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
35.3 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
MD 5
Take the exit onto MD 5 toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Towns Along This Route
Between Silver Spring, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward Morningside, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
Morningside
22.3 mi in
|
~31m
Lexington Park
35.3 mi in
|
~50m
|
via MD 5
Leonardtown
35.3 mi in
|
~50m
|
via MD 5
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 20.2 mi | 26m |
| Leonardtown Road | 10.7 mi | 15m |
| Branch Avenue | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| Mattawoman Beantown Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| MD 337 | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Crain Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Colesville Road | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Charlotte Hall Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 20.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
3
Merge onto US 29
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Georgia Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto US 29
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Colesville Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 495 East: College Park
6
Merge onto I 495
20 mi
·
26 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 9
Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto MD 337
426 ft
·
12 sec
·
Forestville Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Turn slight right onto MD 337
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
MD 337
Toward MD 337 South
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
Toward MD 5 South: Waldorf
11
Merge onto MD 5
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Branch Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Crain Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit onto MD 5
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
MD 5
Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto MD 5
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Mattawoman Beantown Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto MD 5
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Leonardtown Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on MD 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Three Notch Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto Golden Beach Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Golden Beach Road
18
Turn left onto Charlotte Hall Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Charlotte Hall Road
19
Turn left
170 ft
·
12 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to avoid peak traffic hours. Plan your departure to account for the turn-heavy nature of the route, which may feel more taxing than a straight highway shot. Since there are no formal stops required for a 1 hour and 15 minute duration, you can easily complete the trip in one go. Keep your $9 fuel budget in mind, but consider topping off your tank before leaving Silver Spring to avoid hunting for stations once you hit the local stretches. Pay close attention to navigation when transitioning onto Leonardtown Road, as the frequent turns can be easy to miss if you aren't monitoring your route closely.
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 25.8 miles from Silver Spring, MD, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.2 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 51.5 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.8 miles or 37m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte Hall, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Silver Spring, 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 Silver Spring, MD
This is one driving day of about 51.5 miles and 1h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Silver Spring, 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 20.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.8 mi from Silver Spring, MD · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 51.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.8 miles from Silver Spring, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Charlotte Hall, MD
The final approach into Charlotte Hall, 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 Charlotte Hall, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.52 one way
$17.04 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $9.32 | $18.65 |
| premium | $4.92 | $9.98 | $19.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.44 | $22.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.41 | $2.47 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.51 | $2.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Charlotte Hall, MD
Evening in Charlotte Hall on Sunday
Local time
7:55 PM
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 15m 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 Silver Spring, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD covers 51.5 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Leonardtown Road, Branch Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.8 miles from Silver Spring, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.52 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 17 significant decision points across 51.5 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 29 / Georgia Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Silver Spring, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward Morningside, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
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Return Trip
Charlotte Hall, MD to Silver Spring, MDPlan the drive back the other way.
52.7 mi
1h 14m
Continue From Charlotte Hall, MD
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