Origin
Waldorf, MD
Afternoon in Waldorf on Friday
Local time
12:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waldorf, MD to Catonsville, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waldorf, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Catonsville, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 55.8-mile drive from Waldorf, MD, to Catonsville, MD, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including portions of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the Capital Beltway, and Branch Avenue, with about 34% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $9, making it an economical choice. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route offers flexibility for departures and pacing. The drive stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points within Maryland.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 55.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, blending faster highway segments with other road types. Approximately 34% of the drive is on highways, providing opportunities for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.9 miles along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. As you travel, the road character will shift, moving from more direct parkway travel to potentially busier segments as you approach your destination. This route offers a dynamic feel, not purely monotonous highway or exclusively local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.
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 55.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 7.8 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
MD 5 / Branch Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
7
16.7 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
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 I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...
8
31.3 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22A
Toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Balt...
9
31.6 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washi...
8
53.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
MD 166
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 166 toward MD 166: Catonsville, Community College of Baltimore County
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MD 166: Catonsville, Community College o...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waldorf, MD and Catonsville, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Baltimore North and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
College Park
16.7 mi in
|
~25m
Baltimore North
31.3 mi in
|
~46m
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
31.6 mi in
|
~46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Washington Parkway | 17.9 mi | 24m |
| Capital Beltway | 14.2 mi | 19m |
| Branch Avenue | 9 mi | 11m |
| Crain Highway | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| Metropolitan Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| MD 166 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Saint Patricks Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
| Bloomsbury Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
— 17.9 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waldorf, MD and Catonsville, 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 left at fork onto MD 5
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Branch Avenue
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 95; I 495
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 22A
Toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
18 mi
·
24 min
·
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 195 West: Catonsville
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 195
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Metropolitan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 166
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
MD 166
Toward MD 166: Catonsville, Community College of Baltimore County
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto Bloomsbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bloomsbury Avenue
15
Turn left onto MD 144
153 ft
·
6 sec
·
Frederick Road
16
Turn right
37 ft
·
2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Waldorf, MD · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Waldorf, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catonsville, MD
The final approach into Catonsville, 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
$9.25 one way
$18.50 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Catonsville, MD
Afternoon in Catonsville on Friday
Local time
12:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
3 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 22m 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 Catonsville, MD covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Capital Beltway, Branch Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.9 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 $9.25 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 55.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 7.8 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waldorf, MD and Catonsville, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Baltimore North and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Catonsville, MD
More trips to Catonsville, MD
Explore more options from Waldorf, MD or browse trips ending in Catonsville, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.