This straightforward 74.5-mile drive from Baltimore, MD, to Hagerstown, MD, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-70 and the Baltimore Beltway, with a short section on Dual Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this drive focuses on efficient travel. Since both locations are within the Northeast region and the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. It's a practical option for getting between these two Maryland cities without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.3 miles from Baltimore, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
59.1 mi
1h 3m
Baltimore Beltway
4.6 mi
6m
Dual Highway
3.1 mi
5m
I 95
2.9 mi
3m
Cal Ripken Way
0.7 mi
1m
Light Street
0.4 mi
1m
East Franklin Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Conway Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 59.1 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore, MD and Hagerstown, 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
33 mi·35 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 32BToward US 40 West: HagerstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 40
3.1 mi·5 min·Dual Highway
17
Continue on US 40
0.3 mi·40 sec·East Franklin Street
18
Turn left onto North Potomac Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Potomac Street
19
Turn left onto US 40
118 ft·4 sec·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 40
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1 hour and 30-minute trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. Consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential Baltimore-area traffic, especially if you're starting on a weekday. With only 74.5 miles to cover, extensive rest stops aren't necessary, but you'll find plenty of opportunities for fuel and quick breaks along I-70. A specific tip for this route: be aware that you'll be on the Baltimore Beltway for a portion, which can experience heavy traffic depending on the time of day.
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 37.3 miles from Baltimore, MD, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 46m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hagerstown, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baltimore, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Baltimore, MD
This is one driving day of about 74.5 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Baltimore, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 59.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 70.5 — 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.
7
5.2 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 695 West: Towson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward I 695 West: Towson
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
7
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 40 West: Hagerstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 32B
Toward US 40 West: Hagerstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.35 one way
$24.70 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.53
$27.05
premium
$4.93
$14.45
$28.90
diesel
$5.61
$16.45
$32.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 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
22.3
0
$7.82
$3.58
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.52
$2.98
EV Truck/SUV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
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 17, 2026
Origin
Baltimore, MD
Late night
in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hagerstown, MD
Late night
in Hagerstown on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Mount Airy, MD
37 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 30m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Monocacy National Battlefield
National Battlefield
During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...
23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into...
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$20
near mile 61.7
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 51.4
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$20
near mile 30.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 83% of the drive on high-speed roads like I-70 and the Baltimore Beltway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.1 miles on I-70. This means you'll be dealing with consistent speeds and typical interstate conditions for the majority of your journey. While not a winding scenic route, it offers a direct and efficient path, allowing you to cover ground quickly.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.5 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 0.1 miles (MD 2 / Saint Paul Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Baltimore, MD to Hagerstown, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Local Traffic along the way.
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 30m. Total distance: 74.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.1 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hagerstown, 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield 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 Hagerstown, MD before heading back.
