Origin
South Bel Air, MD
Evening in South Bel Air on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Bel Air, MD to Arnold, MD
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
47.1 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 18m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Bel Air, MD
Da Khatri
Arnold, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from South Bel Air, MD to Arnold, MD covers 47.1 miles and takes about 1h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Express Toll Lanes, Harbor Tunnel Thruway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.1 miles on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.81 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
23.5 miles from South Bel Air, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 7m drive with frequent turns across 47.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.1 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
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
6
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.
6
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.
9
30.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
7
38.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
MD 10 / Arundel Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10 / Arundel Expressway toward MD 10 South: Severna Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MD 10 South: Severna Park
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Bel Air, MD and Arnold, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis and Glen Burnie.
Annapolis
30.1 mi in
|
~42m
|
via Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Glen Burnie
30.1 mi in
|
~42m
|
via Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Express Toll Lanes | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Harbor Tunnel Thruway | 6 mi | 8m |
| Governor Ritchie Highway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Arundel Expressway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Ritchie Highway | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Harbor Tunnel Throughway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
— 8.1 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air, MD and Arnold, MD.
1
Start on South Shamrock Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Shamrock Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East MacPhail Road
3
Turn left onto MD 924
496 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on MD 924
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Emmorton Road
5
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ring Factory Road
6
Turn left onto MD 24
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South: Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 895
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
12
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
13
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 895
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Exit 6
Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto MD 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Ritchie Highway
18
Turn left onto MD 270
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Furnace Branch Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MD 10 South
20
Merge onto MD 10
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Arundel Expressway
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Arundel Expressway
Toward MD 10 South: Severna Park
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto MD 2
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Ritchie Highway
23
Continue on MD 2
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Governor Ritchie Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto Arnold Road
399 ft
·
23 sec
·
Arnold Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
198 ft
·
8 sec
·
Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
26
Continue on Church Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Church Road
27
Arrive at destination
Church Road
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 23.5 miles from South Bel Air, MD, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.1 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 10 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.5 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnold, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Bel Air, MD
This is one driving day of about 47.1 miles and 1h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 10 miles from South Bel Air, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway for about 8.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from South Bel Air, MD · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from South Bel Air, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arnold, MD
The final approach into Arnold, 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
$7.81 one way
$15.62 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.55 | $17.10 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.13 | $18.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(6 mi)
$0.42
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
$8
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.95 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (63% 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
Arnold, MD
Evening in Arnold on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
33 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 7m 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 Arnold, MD covers 47.1 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Express Toll Lanes, Harbor Tunnel Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.5 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 $7.81 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.1 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Between South Bel Air, MD and Arnold, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis and Glen Burnie.
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