Annapolis to North East is 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m via John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll primarily be on surface roads, making it a good option for a relaxed, scenic drive. The estimated fuel cost is quite low, suggesting it's an efficient route for a single day of travel. Consider this if you're looking for a straightforward, short trip without extensive highway time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.4 miles from Annapolis, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
30.7 mi
35m
I 97
17.9 mi
20m
Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi
9m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
5.9 mi
8m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2 mi
2m
John Hanson Highway
1.8 mi
2m
North East Road
1.5 mi
2m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
— 30.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Annapolis, MD and North East, MD.
1
Start on School Street
137 ft·6 sec·School Street
2
Enter roundabout onto MD 450
77 ft·1 sec·College Avenue
3
Continue on MD 450
343 ft·7 sec·College Avenue
4
Turn left onto MD 70
0.3 mi·40 sec·Bladen Street
5
Continue on MD 70
1.4 mi·2 min·Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
7
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
1.8 mi·2 min·John Hanson Highway
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 21Toward I 97 North: BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·51 sec
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
10
Continue on I 97
6.0 mi·6 min·I 97
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
12 mi·13 min·I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.0 mi·2 min·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
13
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi·3 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi·2 min·Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
15
Continue on I 895
3.7 mi·5 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
8.5 mi·9 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
297 ft·3 sec
18
Merge onto I 95
31 mi·35 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 100Toward MD 272: North East, Rising SunUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward MD 272 South: North EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto MD 272
1.5 mi·2 min·North East Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on MD 272
0.4 mi·46 sec·North Mauldin Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on MD 272
0.3 mi·38 sec·North Main Street
24
Turn left onto West Street
391 ft·24 sec·West Street
25
Turn left onto MD 272
145 ft·2 sec·South Mauldin Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
MD 272
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Annapolis in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to arrive in North East with plenty of daylight left. With only 74.8 miles to cover and an estimated fuel cost of $12, you won't need frequent fuel stops. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway driving to surface roads, as this is where you'll want to be more aware of local traffic patterns and speed limits. The longest stretch on the highway is about 30 miles, so plan your final approach on surface roads accordingly.
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 37.4 miles from Annapolis, MD, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.7 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.4 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North East, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Annapolis, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Annapolis, MD
This is one driving day of about 74.8 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Annapolis, 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 30.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 72.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MD 450 / College Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MD 450 / College Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
4 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
6
11.5 mi into trip|~15m in|I 97
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
72 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward MD 272: North East, Rising Sun
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 100
Toward MD 272: North East, Rising Sun
8
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 272 South: North East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 272 South: North East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.40 one way
$24.80 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.58
$27.16
premium
$4.93
$14.51
$29.01
diesel
$5.61
$16.51
$33.03
Estimated Tolls: $0.41
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(5.9 mi)$0.41
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
$12
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.85
$3.59
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.54
$2.99
EV Truck/SUV
29.9
0
$10.47
$4.79
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Annapolis, MD
Late night
in Annapolis on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North East, MD
Late night
in North East on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
20 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 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with about 24% of the total mileage on highways like the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway and I-97. You'll experience a longest stretch of 30.7 miles on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a good amount of merging and exiting traffic as you navigate through built-up areas and then transition to more local routes. The profile suggests a driving experience that is more about local roads than high-speed cruising.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.7 mi on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 early in the drive near MD 450 / College Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.8 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (MD 450 / College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (I 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Annapolis is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland. Annapolis was a thriving, wealthy town in the 1600s and 1700s. Many of the houses and other buildings from the 1800s remain, leaving a thriving, vibrant historic district with shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Brick-lined streets and quaint shops add to the feel. You could easily spend a day walking around the town's downtown harbor area shopping and eating. There is also a lively nighttime scene.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 74.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.7 miles on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.41 in tolls one way, starting with Harbor Tunnel Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at North East, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MD 450 / College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (I 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at North East, MD before heading back.
