Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
50m
Distance
36.2 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cabin John, MD
Shane Kell
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 36.2-mile drive from Cabin John, MD to Frederick, MD is easily manageable in about 50 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on I-270, with a brief stint on the I-270 Spur and Buckeystown Pike. With a fuel cost estimated at $6, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. The drive is almost entirely highway, offering a direct path between these two Northeast region locations within Maryland. It’s a no-fuss journey ideal for a spontaneous outing or a planned visit to Frederick.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 27.1 mi | 34m |
| I 270 Spur | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Buckeystown Pike | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Seven Locks Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Capital Beltway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| River Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Carroll Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cabin John, MD and Frederick, MD.
Start on 77th Street
Turn left onto Tomlinson Avenue
Turn right onto Seven Locks Road
Turn sharp right onto MD 190
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Take the exit
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Turn right onto MD 85
Continue on 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
18 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Cabin John, 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 2.9 and 33.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 Spur toward I 270: Rockville, Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 270
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$6.00 one way
$12.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.99 | $15.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.80 | $1.74 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.17 | $1.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Afternoon in Cabin John on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
71°F
Germantown, MD
18 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 most of this 36.2-mile journey, with 83% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 27.1 miles on I-270, providing ample opportunity to settle into a steady pace. The route transitions from the I-270 Spur onto the main I-270, offering a consistent driving environment for the majority of the trip. While primarily an interstate drive, the final approach might involve brief segments on other paved roads as you near Frederick.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 270 and I 270 Spur. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near I 270 Spur.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 36.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cabin John, MD to Frederick, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Buckeystown along the way.
Buckeystown
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 36.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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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