Trip from South Bel Air, MD to Riverside, MD

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 5m

Distance

47.9 mi

77 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min

4 AM

1h 1m ★

6 AM

1h 6m

8 AM

1h 17m

10 AM

1h 10m

12 PM

1h 9m

3 PM

1h 10m

5 PM

1h 16m

8 PM

1h 3m

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

Riverside, MD

Sjuan Dogjani

Trip Overview

This 47.9-mile drive from South Bel Air to Riverside, Maryland, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate using the Harbor Tunnel Thruway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and Express Toll Lanes, with highway driving making up about 19% of the total mileage. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $8. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward duration, this route is a convenient option for a quick excursion within the Northeast region of Maryland, offering a practical way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 47.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this 47.9-mile journey. While 19% of the route incorporates highway driving, the overall profile suggests frequent changes in direction and road type. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12 miles on the Harbor Tunnel Thruway, indicating that much of the drive involves more localized navigation. This means you'll likely experience a mix of faster highway segments interspersed with more deliberate, slower-paced local roads as you make your way from South Bel Air to Riverside.

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

There are about 24 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.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.9 miles you will encounter 16 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: 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

46.5 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward US 29 South: Washington

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

Use the right lane. Exit 16B Toward US 29 South: Washington

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
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway	3.9 mi	5m
Patuxent Freeway	2.6 mi	3m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel	1.4 mi	2m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway	1 mi	1m

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 Riverside, 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

2.6 mi · 3 min · Patuxent Freeway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 16B Toward US 29 South: Washington Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 29

0.6 mi · 51 sec · Columbia Pike

Turn right onto Rivers Edge Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Rivers Edge Road

Turn left onto Rivers View Court

390 ft · 17 sec · Rivers View Court

Arrive at destination

Rivers View Court

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.9 mi from South Bel Air, MD · 33m into the drive

census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Parkville, MD

24 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

Bel Air, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dundalk, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.9 miles from South Bel Air, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Riverside, MD

The final approach into Riverside, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.94 one way

$15.88 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$8.70	$17.39
premium	$4.93	$9.29	$18.58
diesel	$5.61	$10.58	$21.15

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.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

Tolls

Total

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	14.4	$5.03	$2.30
Efficient EV	12	$4.19	$1.92
EV Truck/SUV	19.2	$6.71	$3.07

Gas CO2

17 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

South Bel Air, MD

Night in South Bel Air on Thursday

Local time

9:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Riverside, MD

Night in Riverside on Thursday

Local time

9:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 5m 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 Riverside, MD covers 47.9 miles and takes about 1h 5m 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 23.9 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 $7.94 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 Riverside, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Was this 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 Riverside, MD.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.

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

Trip from South Bel Air, MD to Riverside, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Riverside, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

South Bel Air, MD

Riverside, MD

Same local time

Very similar conditions

1h 5m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Riverside, MD

More from South Bel Air, MD

More trips to Riverside, MD