Origin
Bennsville, MD
Late night in Bennsville on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bennsville, MD to North Bel Air, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
86.7 mi
139 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bennsville, MD
Jonathan Borba
North Bel Air, MD
William Finn
Trip Overview
This 86.7-mile drive from Bennsville, MD, to North Bel Air, MD, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 5 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about booking overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical choice. You'll primarily navigate via Crain Highway and South East Crain Highway before merging onto I-97 for a portion of the journey. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent travel experience throughout Maryland.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Bennsville, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crain Highway | 21.1 mi | 31m |
| South East Crain Highway | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| I 97 | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Express Toll Lanes | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Robert Crain Highway | 7.1 mi | 11m |
| Harbor Tunnel Thruway | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Crain Highway
— 21.1 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bennsville, MD and North Bel Air, MD.
1
Start on Billingsley Road
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Billingsley Road
2
Enter roundabout onto Middletown Road
239 ft
·
4 sec
·
Middletown Road
3
Continue on Middletown Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Middletown Road
4
Turn right onto Billingsley Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Billingsley Road
5
Keep slight left at fork onto Billingsley Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Billingsley Road
6
Turn left onto US 301
8.0 mi
·
13 min
·
Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 301
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Crain Highway
8
Continue on US 301
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South East Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on MD 3; MD 450
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert Crain Highway
10
Merge onto I 97
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
12
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
14
Continue on I 895
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
297 ft
·
3 sec
17
Merge onto I 95
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 77A
Toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
Use the slight left lane.
20
Turn left onto MD 24
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Marketplace Drive
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Marketplace Drive
22
Continue on South Atwood Road
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Atwood Road
23
Turn right onto US 1 Business
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Baltimore Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 1 Business
363 ft
·
17 sec
·
Fulford Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 1 Business; MD 924
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1 Business; MD 924
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Arrive at destination
MD 924
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 5-minute trip, starting your drive in the morning will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you transition onto I-97. Since it's a relatively short drive with no designated stops, flexibility is key; you can easily pull over if you need a break or find something interesting. Keep an eye on your navigation as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent changes in direction. With a fuel cost of only $14, you likely won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 43.3 miles from Bennsville, MD, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.1 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 19 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 1h 7m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Bel Air, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bennsville, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bennsville, MD
This is one driving day of about 86.7 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bennsville, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Crain Highway for about 21.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Bennsville, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 63.5 and 86.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
63.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
I 895 / Express Toll Lanes
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895 / Express Toll Lanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
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 77A
Toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
7
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
6
85.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
US 1 Business / Baltimore Pike
Turn right onto US 1 Business / Baltimore Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
86.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
US 1 Business; MD 924 / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 1 Business; MD 924 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.37 one way
$28.75 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.74 | $31.49 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.81 | $33.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
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
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.14 | $5.55 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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.
Destination
North Bel Air, MD
Late night in North Bel Air on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Crofton, MD
43 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
10 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
2h 5m 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.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$20
near mile 35.9
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for a significant part of this 86.7-mile journey. While 12% of your travel will be on the highway, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.1 miles on Crain Highway, giving you a sense of the route's flow before it becomes more fragmented with turns. This character means you'll be engaged with the road, making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, monotonous highway cruise.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.1 mi on Crain 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 around 63.5 miles in near I 895 / Express Toll Lanes.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 86.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 63.5 miles (I 895 / Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
379 ft
17 ft
Total Climb
558 ft
Total Descent
373 ft
Highest Point
379 ft
~86.7 mi in
Elevation Range
362 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Bennsville, MD to North Bel Air, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Edgewood along the way.
Edgewood
79.4 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 86.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.1 miles on Crain 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.
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 Bel Air, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 63.5 miles (I 895 / Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 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 North Bel Air, MD before heading back.
How this page is built
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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