If you are planning a trip from Charlotte Hall to Gwynn Oak, expect a straightforward 71.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable without requiring an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to cover the trip. Since both your start and end points are located within the Northeast region of Maryland, the transition between them is seamless. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting family, this drive offers a practical way to navigate through the heart of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.8 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Crain Highway
15.6 mi
21m
South East Crain Highway
10.8 mi
15m
Leonardtown Road
10.6 mi
14m
I 97
10 mi
11m
Baltimore Beltway
7.7 mi
10m
Robert Crain Highway
7.1 mi
11m
Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.3 mi
5m
Ingleside Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Crain Highway
— 15.6 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte Hall, MD and Gwynn Oak, MD.
1
Start on this road
170 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Charlotte Hall Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Charlotte Hall Road
3
Turn right onto Golden Beach Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·Golden Beach Road
4
Turn left onto MD 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Three Notch Road
5
Continue on MD 5
11 mi·14 min·Leonardtown Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto MD 5
3.3 mi·5 min·Mattawoman Beantown Road
7
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
2.5 mi·3 min·Crain Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 301
13 mi·18 min·Crain Highway
9
Continue on US 301
11 mi·15 min·South East Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on MD 3; MD 450
7.1 mi·11 min·Robert Crain Highway
11
Merge onto I 97
8.9 mi·10 min·I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 97
1.1 mi·1 min·I 97
Exit 17AToward I 695 West: Baltimore, TowsonUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 695
7.7 mi·10 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 15AToward US 40 East: BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto US 40
0.2 mi·22 sec·Baltimore National Pike
16
Turn left onto Ingleside Avenue
1.6 mi·3 min·Ingleside Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on North Forest Park Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·North Forest Park Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn slight left onto Hillsdale Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Hillsdale Road
19
Turn right onto Haddon Avenue
178 ft·11 sec·Haddon Avenue
20
Turn left
60 ft·4 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 1-hour and 46-minute route involves zero scheduled stops, you have the flexibility to power through or pull over whenever you need a break. We recommend checking local traffic conditions before you depart, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be influenced by volume on the local roads. Because the total fuel cost is a modest $12, you won't need to stress about elaborate refueling logistics along the way. Keep in mind that the majority of your time will be spent on local thoroughfares, so prioritize comfort and keep your navigation ready for the frequent turns. Planning your departure to avoid peak local congestion will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the 71.7-mile trek.
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 35.8 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.6 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.8 miles or 51m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gwynn Oak, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlotte Hall, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlotte Hall, MD
This is one driving day of about 71.7 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Crain Highway for about 15.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 16 and 67.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16 mi into trip|~23m in|US 301; MD 5 / Crain Highway
Merge onto US 301; MD 5 / Crain Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|I 97
Merge onto I 97
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|I 97
Take the exit onto I 97 toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17A
Toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
5
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 695 / Baltimore Beltway
Merge onto I 695 / Baltimore Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 40 East: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward US 40 East: Baltimore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.77 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.02
$26.04
premium
$4.93
$13.91
$27.81
diesel
$5.61
$15.83
$31.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.53
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.04
$4.59
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Charlotte Hall, MD
Late night
in Charlotte Hall on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gwynn Oak, MD
Late night
in Gwynn Oak on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
3 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 46m 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 39.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on Leonardtown Road and Crain Highway, with only 14% of the trip spent on major highways. You will experience a series of transitions as you navigate the local roads, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting just 15.6 miles on Crain Highway. Because of the frequent turns, the pace of the drive changes often, making it a more active experience than a standard highway cruise. Stay alert as you transition between these road types to ensure a smooth arrival at your destination.
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: 15.6 mi on Crain Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 16 miles in near US 301; MD 5 / Crain Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 16 miles (US 301; MD 5 / Crain Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.5 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Charlotte Hall, MD to Gwynn Oak, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Towson along the way.
Towson
58.5 mi in|~1h 23m|via I 97
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.6 miles on Crain Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Gwynn Oak, 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 16 miles (US 301; MD 5 / Crain Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.5 miles (I 97): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Gwynn Oak, MD before heading back.
