Camp Springs, MD to South Bel Air, MD is 68.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 36 minutes via the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Capital Beltway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region towards another Northeast destination. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you navigate between these two points. It's a straightforward, relatively short drive that's manageable for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.2 miles from Camp Springs, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
21.3 mi
29m
Capital Beltway
11.9 mi
16m
Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi
9m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
7.3 mi
8m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
7 mi
10m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Allentown Road
2.3 mi
4m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
— 21.3 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camp Springs, MD and South Bel Air, MD.
1
Start on this road
36 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left
22 ft·4 sec
3
Turn left onto Allentown Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Allentown Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
5
Merge onto I 95; I 495
12 mi·16 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22AToward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall AirportUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
21 mi·29 min·Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ThruwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 895
1.1 mi·1 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
11
Continue on I 895
1.0 mi·1 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 77AToward MD 24: Bel Air, EdgewoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward MD 24 North: Bel AirUse the slight left lane.
20
Turn left onto MD 24
4.3 mi·6 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Ring Factory Road
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto MD 924
0.6 mi·1 min·Emmorton Road
23
Continue on MD 924
496 ft·17 sec·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto East MacPhail Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·East MacPhail Road
25
Turn left onto South Shamrock Road
0.3 mi·1 min·South Shamrock Road
26
Arrive at destination
South Shamrock Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1 hour 36 minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid the worst of the traffic. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed, though with only 68.5 miles, it's not strictly necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $11, and plan your fill-up accordingly before you set out or when you see a convenient station.
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 34.2 miles from Camp Springs, MD, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.3 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.2 miles or 48m 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 20m
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 Camp Springs, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Camp Springs, MD
This is one driving day of about 68.5 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Camp Springs, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Baltimore-Washington Parkway for about 21.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.4 and 62.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.4 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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 22A
Toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Balt...
9
14.7 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washi...
6
36.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thr...
8
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
$11.36 one way
$22.71 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.44
$24.88
premium
$4.93
$13.28
$26.57
diesel
$5.61
$15.12
$30.25
Estimated Tolls: $0.49
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(7 mi)$0.49
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
$11
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.19
$3.29
Efficient EV
17.1
0
$5.99
$2.74
EV Truck/SUV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Camp Springs, MD
Late night
in Camp Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Bel Air, MD
Late night
in South Bel Air on Sunday
Local time
12:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 13 mph2% chanceLive 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
1 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
1h 36m on the road
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.
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$20
near mile 14.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 31% of this 68.5-mile route is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway covering 21.3 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you get closer to your destination. Expect to encounter a good number of exits and merges as you navigate the Capital Beltway.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.3 mi on Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 14.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Camp Springs, MD and South Bel Air, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore North, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Edgewood.
Baltimore North
14.4 mi in|~21m
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
14.7 mi in|~22m
Edgewood
61.8 mi in|~1h 24m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 68.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.3 miles on Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.49 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.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 14.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
