Summer Road Trips in Maryland
Routes
30
Avg Distance
174 mi
Avg Drive
3h 42m
Destinations
25
Maryland in the summer offers a varied driving experience, with 30 routes averaging 175 miles and 222 minutes. You'll find drives with scores up to 9, featuring terrain from mostly flat to gently rolling, and reaching elevations over 2000 feet. This season unlocks access to numerous parks across the state, making it ideal for exploring its diverse landscapes.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.24/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$23–$48
One-way, ~174 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~61 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Maryland
Maryland peaks at around 89°F in Jul and cools to 43°F / 25°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jul at ~4.5 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43 | 25 | 3.1 | 6.4 |
| Feb | 46 | 27 | 2.9 | 7.5 |
| Mar | 55 | 34 | 4 | 2.8 |
| Apr | 67 | 44 | 3.4 | — |
| May | 76 | 53 | 3.9 | — |
| Jun peak | 84 | 63 | 4 | — |
| Jul peak | 89 | 68 | 4.5 | — |
| Aug peak | 87 | 66 | 4.1 | — |
| Sep | 80 | 59 | 4.4 | — |
| Oct | 68 | 47 | 3.9 | — |
| Nov | 57 | 37 | 3.1 | 0.1 |
| Dec | 48 | 30 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for MD — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Editor's pick
Clinton, MD → Clayton, NC
Through: Norfolk → Va Beach → Rocky Mount +1 more
This lengthy, mostly highway route scores a 9 and covers 284 miles of predominantly flat terrain, offering a straightforward connection with access to parks along the way.
Editor's pick
Salisbury, MD → Frostburg, MD
Through: Severna Park
Boasting a drive score of 9, this 249-mile trip ascends to 2065 feet through gently rolling terrain, providing a significant elevation change and park access.
Editor's pick
Cambridge, MD → Cumberland, MD
Through: Severna Park
With a drive score of 9, this 207-mile route travels through gently rolling terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 1159 feet and includes opportunities to visit parks.
Oakland, MD → Essex, MD
Through: Baltimore → Towson → Glen Burnie +1 more
Cumberland, MD → Elkton, MD
Through: Baltimore → Towson → Glen Burnie +1 more
Hagerstown, MD → Berlin, MD
Through: Baltimore → Washington → Rehoboth
Mountain Lake Park, MD → Baltimore, MD
Through: Towson → Glen Burnie
Frederick, MD → Crisfield, MD
Through: Baltimore → Washington → Rehoboth +1 more
Oakland, MD → Bethesda, MD
Through: Washington → Baltimore
South Bel Air, MD → La Vale, MD
Through: Local Traffic
Annapolis, MD → Frostburg, MD
Through: Towson → Local Traffic
Westernport, MD → Essex, MD
Through: Baltimore → Towson → Glen Burnie +1 more
Ocean City, MD → Frederick, MD
Through: Severna Park
Gaithersburg, MD → Crisfield, MD
Through: College Park → Rehoboth → Ocean City
Snow Hill, MD → Frederick, MD
Through: Dover → Severna Park
Cumberland, MD → North Bel Air, MD
Through: Baltimore → Towson → Glen Burnie +1 more
Cumberland, MD → Bel Air, MD
Through: Baltimore → Towson → Glen Burnie +1 more
Salisbury, MD → Brunswick, MD
Through: Severna Park → Leesburg
La Vale, MD → Annapolis, MD
Through: Baltimore → Towson → Glen Burnie
Salisbury, MD → Thurmont, MD
Through: Severna Park → Hyattstown
Bowie, MD → Lonaconing, MD
Through: Silver Spring → Baltimore
New Mexico, MD → Ocean City, MD
Through: Rehoboth
Westernport, MD → Gwynn Oak, MD
Through: Baltimore
Westernport, MD → Catonsville, MD
Through: Baltimore
Ocean City, MD → Fort Washington, MD
Through: Forest Heights
Bowie, MD → La Vale, MD
Through: Silver Spring → Baltimore
New Mexico, MD → Willards, MD
Through: Rehoboth → Ocean City
Montgomery Village, MD → Ocean Pines, MD
Through: College Park → Rehoboth
Salisbury, MD → Taneytown, MD
Through: Severna Park → Towson → Reisterstown
Rockville, MD → Snow Hill, MD
Through: Rehoboth → Ocean City