Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
36m
Distance
27.6 mi
44 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
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
Parole, MD
Mikhail Nilov
If you are looking for a quick transition from Catonsville to Parole, this 27.6-mile trip is a straightforward journey through Maryland. You can easily complete the drive in about 36 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a one-day outing. Budgeting around $5 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire trip. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout your travel. This route functions perfectly as a simple point-to-point excursion, so there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. It is a practical, efficient way to navigate between these two Maryland spots without any required stops.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 97 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| John Hanson Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Hicks Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Catonsville, MD and Parole, 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
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 50; US 301
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MD 450
Turn right onto Hicks Avenue
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 26.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MD 450: Parole
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 450 East: Annapolis, Riva Road, Parole
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$4.58 one way
$9.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.01 | $10.02 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.35 | $10.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.09 | $12.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Late night in Catonsville on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Parole on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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 mixed driving experience that balances highway speed with local navigation. Approximately 60% of your travel time will be spent on major thoroughfares, including the Baltimore Beltway, I-97, and the John Hanson Highway. You will encounter a significant 16.7-mile stretch on I-97, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your commute. The character of the road shifts from the busier beltway environment to the more focused interstate corridor before you reach your destination. While the drive is relatively short, this blend of road types keeps the pace steady and predictable for the driver.
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 7.1 miles in.
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 12 decision points packed into just 27.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 36m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 36m. Total distance: 27.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). 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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