Origin
Waldorf, MD
Late night in Waldorf on Friday
Local time
4:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waldorf, MD to Annapolis, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
42.4 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waldorf, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Annapolis, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 42.4-mile drive from Waldorf, MD to Annapolis, MD takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate via Crain Highway, John Hanson Highway, and South East Crain Highway, with a significant portion on local roads. The estimated fuel cost is around $7. This route offers a straightforward journey through the Northeast region of Maryland. Given its short distance and manageable duration, it’s ideal for a spontaneous outing or a relaxed addition to a longer itinerary. There's no need to split this drive or plan for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 42.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise. While 33% of the route involves highway driving, the majority unfolds on local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 19.2 miles on Crain Highway. The road's personality shifts as you progress, transitioning between faster highway segments and more intricate local road networks. This mix means you'll need to stay engaged, especially when navigating intersections and changes in speed limits.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Crain Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.2 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 around 28.8 miles in near US 301.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 28.8 miles (US 301): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles (US 301): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
28.8 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 301
Take the exit onto US 301 toward US 50, US 301: Annapolis, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 50, US 301: Annapolis, Washington
6
28.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 301
Keep slight right at fork onto US 301 toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis
8
40.3 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24
Toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, An...
7
40.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South
6
42.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
School Street
Enter roundabout onto School Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Waldorf, MD to Annapolis, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
28.8 mi in
|
~44m
|
via US 301
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crain Highway | 19.2 mi | 28m |
| John Hanson Highway | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| South East Crain Highway | 8 mi | 11m |
| Roscoe Rowe Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Saint Patricks Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
| US 301 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Smallwood Drive West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lancaster Circle | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Crain Highway
— 19.2 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waldorf, MD and Annapolis, MD.
1
Start on Lancaster Circle
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lancaster Circle
2
At end of road, turn left onto Smallwood Drive West
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Smallwood Drive West
3
Turn left onto Saint Patricks Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Saint Patricks Drive
4
Turn left onto US 301
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 301
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Crain Highway
6
Continue on US 301
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
South East Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 301
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 301
Toward US 50, US 301: Annapolis, Washington
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 301
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 301
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis
9
Merge onto US 50; US 301
11 mi
·
12 min
·
John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 24
Toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South
12
Turn straight onto MD 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
13
Keep slight right at fork onto Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Northwest Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Northwest Street
15
Enter roundabout onto School Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
School Street
16
Continue on School Street
137 ft
·
5 sec
·
School Street
17
Arrive at destination
School Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.2 mi from Waldorf, MD · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.2 miles from Waldorf, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Annapolis, MD
The final approach into Annapolis, 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
$7.03 one way
$14.06 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.70 | $15.40 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.22 | $16.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.36 | $18.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.45 | $2.04 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.71 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Annapolis, MD
Late night in Annapolis on Friday
Local time
4:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
1 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 2m 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 Waldorf, MD to Annapolis, MD covers 42.4 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crain Highway, John Hanson Highway, South East Crain Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.2 miles from Waldorf, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.03 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 42.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 28.8 miles (US 301): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles (US 301): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Waldorf, MD to Annapolis, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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