Origin
Brandywine, MD
Late night in Brandywine on Wednesday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brandywine, MD to South Bel Air, MD
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
74.2 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandywine, MD
Jonathan Borba
South Bel Air, MD
Da Khatri
Trip Overview
The drive from Brandywine, MD to South Bel Air, MD covers 74.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Crain Highway, South East Crain Highway, I 97 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.6 miles on Crain Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Brandywine, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crain Highway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| 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 | 4.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Crain Highway
— 12.6 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brandywine, MD and South Bel Air, MD.
1
Start on MD 381
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Brandywine Road
2
Turn right onto US 301
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Crain Highway
3
Continue on US 301
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South East Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on MD 3; MD 450
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert Crain Highway
5
Merge onto I 97
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
7
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
9
Continue on I 895
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
297 ft
·
3 sec
12
Merge onto I 95
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 77A
Toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward MD 24 North: Bel Air
Use the slight left lane.
15
Turn left onto MD 24
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ring Factory Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto MD 924
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Emmorton Road
18
Continue on MD 924
496 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Main Street
19
Turn right onto East MacPhail Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East MacPhail Road
20
Turn left onto South Shamrock Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Shamrock Road
21
Arrive at destination
South Shamrock Road
Trip Plan
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 37.1 miles from Brandywine, MD, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.6 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Bel Air, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brandywine, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brandywine, MD
This is one driving day of about 74.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Brandywine, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Crain Highway for about 12.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.1 miles from Brandywine, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 31.8 and 67.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
31.8 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
I 97
Merge onto I 97
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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.
5
60.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 95 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 95 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
67.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.40 one way
$24.80 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $13.65 | $27.29 |
| premium | $5.01 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $16.36 | $32.71 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.79 | $3.56 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.49 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
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.
Destination
South Bel Air, MD
Late night in South Bel Air on Wednesday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 42m 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 23
Park Closure: Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
74.2 mi in 1h 42m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 12.6 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 31.8 miles in near I 97.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.2 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 31.8 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles (I 895 / Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.2 miles (I 95 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
359 ft
10 ft
Total Climb
517 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
359 ft
~73.1 mi in
Elevation Range
348 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 Brandywine, MD to South Bel Air, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Edgewood along the way.
Edgewood
67.5 mi in
|
~1h 30m
About the Cities
Starting in Brandywine, MD
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • St. Paul's Parish Church — listed on the NRHP in Maryland
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 74.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 12.6 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 South Bel Air, 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 31.8 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles (I 895 / Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.2 miles (I 95 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 South 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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