Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
49.4 mi
80 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 49.4-mile drive from Baltimore, MD, to Frederick, MD, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over an hour to complete. Primarily utilizing I-70 and the Baltimore Beltway, with a brief stint on I-95, this route is largely highway-focused, making it a practical transit rather than an exploratory journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $8, which is quite economical for the distance covered. Given its short duration and highway profile, you won't need an overnight stop, leaving you plenty of flexibility to depart at your convenience. This drive is entirely within the Northeast region, connecting two points in Maryland without significant geographical or regional shifts.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 36.7 mi | 39m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| I 95 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Cal Ripken Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Light Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Conway Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Carroll Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore, MD and Frederick, MD.
Start on East Fayette Street
Turn left onto MD 2
Continue on MD 2
Turn right onto East Conway Street
Turn left onto I 395
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto I 695
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MD 85
Continue on East Street
Enter roundabout onto East Street
Continue on East Street
Turn left onto MD 144
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
Turn left onto MD 144
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.7 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.
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.
Turn left onto MD 2 / Saint Paul Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$8.19 one way
$16.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.97 | $17.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.58 | $19.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.91 | $21.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Baltimore on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Frederick on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
75°F
Columbia, MD
25 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 80% of this trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on interstates, including a substantial 36.7-mile stretch on I-70 without needing to exit. The Baltimore Beltway will guide you out of the city before merging onto I-70. While not known for its scenic vistas, this route prioritizes efficient travel. The character remains consistent, offering a predictable and direct path to Frederick. It’s a drive built for covering ground rather than engaging with the landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Baltimore Beltway. 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.4 miles you will encounter 16 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Baltimore, MD to Frederick, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Local Traffic along the way.
Local Traffic
“Bodymore, Murderland” · Founded 1729
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 1m. Total distance: 49.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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