Origin
University Park, MD
Afternoon in University Park on Thursday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from University Park, MD to Essex, MD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
59m
Distance
40.1 mi
65 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
University Park, MD
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
The drive from University Park, MD to Essex, MD covers 40.1 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Baltimore Avenue, Eastern Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.8 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 40.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 59m highway drive covering 40.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Baltimore Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.8 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Baltimore Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 40.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silv...
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 toward I-95 North: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I-95 North: Baltimore
6
32.1 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
36.4 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59
Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
9
36.6 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from University Park, MD to Essex, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Silver Spring along the way.
Silver Spring
3.5 mi in
|
~10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 31.8 mi | 38m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 3.3 mi | 9m |
| Eastern Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Eastern Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Capital Beltway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Queens Chapel Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Taylor Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 31.8 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University Park, MD and Essex, MD.
1
Start on Queens Chapel Road
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Queens Chapel Road
2
Turn left onto US 1
3.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Baltimore Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 95; I 495
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
·
Capital Beltway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
28 mi
·
33 min
·
I 95
Toward I-95 North: Baltimore
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 59
Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Use the right lane.
9
Turn right onto MD 150
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on MD 150
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Eastern Boulevard
11
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
211 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Taylor Avenue
12
Turn right
521 ft
·
38 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.1 mi from University Park, MD · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.1 miles from University Park, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Essex, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Essex, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.65 one way
$13.30 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.28 | $14.56 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.78 | $15.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.85 | $17.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12 | 0 | $4.21 | $1.92 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.57 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Essex, MD
Afternoon in Essex on Thursday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
13 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
59m 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 University Park, MD to Essex, MD covers 40.1 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Baltimore Avenue, Eastern Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.1 miles from University Park, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.65 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 40.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from University Park, MD to Essex, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Silver Spring along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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