Trip from South Bel Air, MD to Highland, MD

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 12m

Distance

52.8 mi

85 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min

4 AM

1h 7m ★

6 AM

1h 12m

8 AM

1h 24m

10 AM

1h 16m

12 PM

1h 15m

3 PM

1h 17m

5 PM

1h 23m

8 PM

1h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

South Bel Air, MD

Da Khatri

Highland, MD

Rámon van Raaij

Trip Overview

This 52.8-mile drive from South Bel Air, MD to Highland, MD is designed for a single day, taking about 1 hour and 12 minutes. You'll navigate primarily using the Harbor Tunnel Thruway and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, with about 25% of the journey on express toll lanes. The estimated fuel cost is around $9. This route offers a practical northeastern Maryland connection, ideal for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay. Its turn-heavy local drive profile means you'll be actively engaged with the road.

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

26.4 miles from South Bel Air, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive experience for this 52.8-mile trip. While only 25% of the route utilizes highways like the Harbor Tunnel Thruway and John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, you'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 12 miles on the Harbor Tunnel Thruway. The road profile suggests a dynamic journey with frequent changes in direction and pace, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. This means you'll likely be navigating more local roads and intersections as you progress toward Highland, MD.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Harbor Tunnel Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 12 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 5.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 52.8 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Baltimore

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South: Baltimore

14.6 mi into trip | ~21m in | Express Toll Lanes

Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.

21 mi into trip | ~29m in | Express Toll Lanes

Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.

43.2 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward MD 32 West: Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 38B Toward MD 32 West: Columbia

50.3 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Take the exit toward MD 108: Clarksville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 20 Toward MD 108: Clarksville

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Harbor Tunnel Thruway	12 mi	15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway	8.1 mi	9m
Express Toll Lanes	7.7 mi	9m
I 95	6.6 mi	7m
Patuxent Freeway	6.5 mi	8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway	3.9 mi	5m
Clarksville Pike	2.2 mi	3m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Harbor Tunnel Thruway — 12 mi, about 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air, MD and Highland, MD.

Start on South Shamrock Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Shamrock Road

At end of road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road

0.3 mi · 44 sec · East MacPhail Road

Turn left onto MD 924

496 ft · 14 sec · South Main Street

Continue on MD 924

0.6 mi · 1 min · Emmorton Road

Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Ring Factory Road

Turn left onto MD 24

3.9 mi · 5 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 95 South: Baltimore Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95

8.1 mi · 9 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes

6.5 mi · 7 min · Express Toll Lanes

Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes

1.2 mi · 1 min · Express Toll Lanes

Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 895

3.8 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Continue on I 895

1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

Continue on I 895

2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 895

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 895

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 895

6.0 mi · 7 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 95

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 38B Toward MD 32 West: Columbia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto MD 32

6.5 mi · 8 min · Patuxent Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Exit 20 Toward MD 108: Clarksville Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto MD 108

2.2 mi · 3 min · Clarksville Pike

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto MD 216

70 ft · 1 sec · Scaggsville Road

Arrive at destination

MD 216

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over an hour, this 52.8-mile trip from South Bel Air to Highland offers great flexibility. You can easily tackle it as a day trip, leaving whenever suits you best. Since the longest stretch is only 12 miles, you won't face long periods without services or opportunities to stretch. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates frequent turns. The estimated fuel cost of $9 is quite manageable, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart to avoid unnecessary stops.

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 26.4 miles from South Bel Air, MD, or about 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12 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 52.8 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 26.4 miles or 36m 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

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving South Bel Air, 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 South Bel Air, MD

This is one driving day of about 52.8 miles and 1h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Bel Air, 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 Harbor Tunnel Thruway for about 12 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 26.4 mi from South Bel Air, MD · 36m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

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

Vestal, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from South Bel Air, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Highland, MD

The final approach into Highland, 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 Highland, 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

$8.75 one way

$17.51 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$9.59	$19.17
premium	$4.93	$10.24	$20.48
diesel	$5.61	$11.66	$23.32

Estimated Tolls: $0.84

Harbor Tunnel Thruway (12 mi) $0.84

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	15.8	$5.54	$2.53
Efficient EV	13.2	$4.62	$2.11
EV Truck/SUV	21.1	$7.39	$3.38

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

South Bel Air, MD

Late night in South Bel Air on Wednesday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Highland, MD

Late night in Highland on Wednesday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°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

6 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

1h 12m 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 South Bel Air, MD to Highland, MD covers 52.8 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Harbor Tunnel Thruway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Express Toll Lanes. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 26.4 miles from South Bel Air, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.75 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.

The route from South Bel Air, MD to Highland, 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

Explore More

Explore more options from South Bel Air, MD or browse trips ending in Highland, MD.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.

Explore maps for South Bel Air, MD or Highland, MD on MapSof.net.

Trip from South Bel Air, MD to Highland, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Highland, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

South Bel Air, MD

Highland, MD

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 12m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Highland, MD

More from South Bel Air, MD

More trips to Highland, MD