Baltimore, MD to Buckeystown, MD is 53.4 miles and takes about 1h 9m via I 70 and Buckeystown Pike, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region and Maryland for its entirety. It's a straightforward trip that mostly uses the interstate, making it a quick option for getting from the Baltimore area to points west in Maryland. You'll find the route to be efficient, especially if you're looking to cover ground without a lot of complex navigation. Consider this if you need a simple, direct connection between these two locations.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
36.7 mi
39m
Buckeystown Pike
5 mi
10m
Baltimore Beltway
4.6 mi
6m
I 95
2.9 mi
3m
Cal Ripken Way
0.7 mi
1m
Light Street
0.4 mi
1m
East Conway Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Fayette Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 36.7 mi, about 39m
Traffic on I-695
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,495 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,400
Quietest
2 AM
~461 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore, MD and Buckeystown, MD.
1
Start on East Fayette Street
487 ft·23 sec·East Fayette Street
2
Turn left onto MD 2
312 ft·10 sec·Saint Paul Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on MD 2
0.4 mi·1 min·Light Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn right onto East Conway Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Conway Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto I 395
0.7 mi·1 min·Cal Ripken Way
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Washington
7
Merge onto I 95
2.9 mi·3 min·I 95
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 49BToward I 695 West: TowsonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 695
4.6 mi·6 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 16A-BToward I 70: Frederick, Local TrafficUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 16AToward I 70 West: FrederickUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
14 mi·15 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
12 mi·12 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
11 mi·11 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown FrederickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward MD 85 South: BuckeystownUse the slight left lane.
17
Turn straight onto MD 85
1.5 mi·3 min·Buckeystown Pike
18
Continue on MD 85
3.5 mi·7 min·Buckeystown Pike
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
MD 85
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 26.7 miles from Baltimore, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 48.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MD 2 / Saint Paul Street
Turn left onto MD 2 / Saint Paul Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
10.4 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
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 16A-B
Toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
8
10.6 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
8
48.1 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
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 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
8
48.3 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 85 South: Buckeystown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MD 85 South: Buckeystown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.70 one way
$17.39 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg19 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.74
$9.96
$19.91
premium
$5.04
$10.60
$21.20
diesel
$6.36
$13.37
$26.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
16
0
$5.61
$2.56
Efficient EV
13.4
0
$4.67
$2.14
EV Truck/SUV
21.4
0
$7.48
$3.42
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Baltimore, MD
Evening
in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
7:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
N 6 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 3:37PM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 3:37PM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Buckeystown, MD
Evening
in Buckeystown on Sunday
Local time
7:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
N 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 3:37PM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 3:37PM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
9 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 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is predominantly highway, with 74% of the driving on interstates. You'll spend a significant stretch on I 70, including a continuous segment of 36.7 miles. The transition from the major highway system to local roads occurs as you approach Buckeystown Pike, which leads you the rest of the way. Expect a higher density of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate the initial portions of I 70.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Buckeystown Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MD 2 / Saint Paul Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.4 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 0.1 miles (MD 2 / Saint Paul Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
750 ft36 ft
Total Climb
747 ft
Total Descent
507 ft
Highest Point
750 ft
~34.3 mi in
Elevation Range
714 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Baltimore, MD and Buckeystown, MD, road signs point toward Local Traffic and Frederick.
Slices of American history are around every corner in Baltimore. Maryland's largest city is a gritty old seaport town that's perhaps most famous as the site of Fort McHenry, where, at the height of the War of 1812, the sight of a tattered but defiant American flag flying over the harbor, despite a furious British bombardment, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that was later adapted into the U.S. national anthem "Star-Spangled Banner". Nowadays, Baltimore's nonstop nightlife, temperate climate, tradition of hospitality (they don't call this place "Charm City" for nothing), and cultural attractions — not to mention its prime location on the juncture of Chesapeake Bay — made it one of the major tourist destinations of the Mid-Atlantic region.
Top landmarks
•Johns Hopkins Hospital — hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, United States
•Walters Art Museum — art museum in Baltimore, Maryland, US
•Baltimore Museum of Art — art museum in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 53.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Buckeystown, 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: at 0.1 miles (MD 2 / Saint Paul Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buckeystown, MD before heading back.
