Traveling from College Park to Frostburg covers 143.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the trip. While the entire route stays within Maryland, you are transitioning from the suburban Northeast region toward the more rugged interior of the state. This trek is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, though you might consider an overnight stay if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a different perspective on the Maryland landscape than typical highway travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.7 miles from College Park, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
52.1 mi
55m
US 40
41.1 mi
46m
I 270
31.6 mi
40m
Capital Beltway
7.6 mi
9m
National Highway
4.5 mi
7m
Adelphi Road
2.3 mi
4m
East Main Street
1 mi
3m
Mowatt Lane
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 52.1 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between College Park, MD and Frostburg, MD.
1
Start on Knox Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Knox Road
2
Turn right onto Mowatt Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Mowatt Lane
3
Enter roundabout onto Campus Drive
172 ft·5 sec·Campus Drive
4
Continue on Campus Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Campus Drive
5
Turn right onto Adelphi Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Adelphi Road
6
Turn right onto MD 650
0.3 mi·36 sec·New Hampshire Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 495: Northern Virginia, Silver Spring, Baltimore, College ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 495 West: Northern Virginia, Silver SpringUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 495
7.6 mi·9 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi·4 min·I 270
Exit 35Toward I 270 North: FrederickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
7.0 mi·9 min·I 270
Toward I 270 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 11; 12Toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill RoadUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 270
21 mi·26 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 32Toward I 70: Hagerstown, BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 70 West: HagerstownUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 70
52 mi·55 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40
41 mi·46 min·US 40
Toward US 40, I 68: CumberlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 40 Alternate: La Vale
19
Turn left onto US 40 Alternate
4.5 mi·7 min·National Highway
20
Continue on US 40 Alternate; MD 36
1.0 mi·3 min·East Main Street
21
Turn right onto MD 36
139 ft·9 sec·North Water Street
22
Turn left
16 ft·2 sec
23
Turn right
7 ft·0 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 56-minute local drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak local traffic hours is always wise. You should plan for at least one stop during the 143.5-mile journey to stretch your legs and refresh, as the technical nature of the roads can be more taxing than standard highway cruising. Keep your $24 fuel budget in mind and consider topping off your tank before leaving College Park to ensure you are covered for the duration of the trip. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns accurately. Embracing the stop-and-start nature of this trip allows you to manage fatigue effectively while navigating the local Maryland terrain.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.7 miles from College Park, MD, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.1 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 32 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frostburg, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving College Park, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from College Park, MD
This is one driving day of about 143.5 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from College Park, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 52.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 96.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Northern Virginia, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Northern Virginia, Silver Sp...
8
11.9 mi into trip|~20m in|I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
8
22.5 mi into trip|~34m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11; 12
Toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West...
8
43.7 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
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 32
Toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
8
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 toward US 40, I 68: Cumberland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 40, I 68: Cumberland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.79 one way
$47.58 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.06
$52.11
premium
$4.93
$27.83
$55.66
diesel
$5.61
$31.68
$63.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.07
$6.89
Efficient EV
35.9
0
$12.56
$5.74
EV Truck/SUV
57.4
0
$20.09
$9.18
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
College Park, MD
Night
in College Park on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Frostburg, MD
Night
in Frostburg on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
11 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
2h 56m 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.
Monocacy National Battlefield
National Battlefield
During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...
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...
23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 29.7
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$20
near mile 54.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized by its turn-heavy local nature rather than a straightforward interstate grind. You will navigate via Mowatt Lane, Campus Drive, and Adelphi Road, which account for a unique, non-highway driving profile. With 0% highway share, you will be engaged with the road constantly, requiring your full attention as you transition away from the College Park area. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you should anticipate a consistent rhythm of turns and local traffic patterns. This drive is ideal if you prefer avoiding the monotony of high-speed lanes in favor of a more localized, driving-intensive journey.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and US 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 143.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: 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 College Park, MD to Frostburg, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Baltimore
43.7 mi in|~1h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 143.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.1 miles on I 70. 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 Frostburg, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Antietam National Battlefield (5 total within detour distance). 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 Frostburg, MD before heading back.
