Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
21.5 mi
35 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catonsville, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Catonsville, MD to Crownsville, MD is 21.5 miles and takes about 29 minutes via I 97 and Generals Highway, with a fuel budget near $4 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within the Northeast region and the state of Maryland, making it a convenient local drive. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect a bit of everything as you travel. It's a straightforward option if you're looking for a quick connection between these two Maryland locations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 97 | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Generals Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Lancers Trail | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Catonsville, MD and Crownsville, MD.
Start on this road
Turn left onto MD 144
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 695
Take the exit
Continue on I 97
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
Take the exit
Continue on MD 178
Turn left onto Lancers Trail
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 19.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MD 144 / Frederick Road
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 695 / Baltimore Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97 toward Bay Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward MD 178: Crownsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.56 one way
$7.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.90 | $7.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.17 | $8.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.75 | $9.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.26 | $1.03 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.88 | $0.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Morning in Catonsville on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
Destination
Morning in Crownsville on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
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.
This drive features a mixed highway and surface road profile, with 53% of the 21.5 miles on highways. You'll experience an 11.4-mile stretch on I 97, offering a continuous highway experience before transitioning to surface roads. Expect some urban merging as you navigate the Baltimore Beltway and I 97 before reaching the more direct Generals Highway.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MD 144 / Frederick Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.5 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (MD 144 / Frederick Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 695 / Baltimore Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 21.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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