Connecting Delmar to Essex, this 107.8-mile journey is an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel, navigating a route that keeps you entirely within Maryland. With a modest fuel budget of about $18, this trek is an economical way to travel between the two regions. Because the duration is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra activities planned at your destination. It is a straightforward trip that favors local roads over high-speed interstates, offering a consistent pace for your travel plans.
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
53.9 miles from Delmar, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ocean Gateway
26.1 mi
36m
Sussex Highway
19.3 mi
26m
Shore Highway
17.4 mi
24m
Governor Ritchie Highway
8 mi
12m
Seashore Highway
7.5 mi
9m
Queen Anne Highway
6.2 mi
8m
Arundel Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Ocean Gateway
— 26.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delmar, MD and Essex, MD.
1
Start on MD 54; DE 54
1.0 mi·2 min·East State Street
2
Turn left onto US 13
19 mi·26 min·Sussex Highway
3
Take the exit
166 ft·5 sec
4
Continue on Rifle Range Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Rifle Range Road
5
Turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
Turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi·45 sec·Market Street
7
Turn right onto DE 404 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·Seashore Highway
8
Continue on MD 404
17 mi·24 min·Shore Highway
9
Continue on MD 404
6.2 mi·8 min·Queen Anne Highway
10
Take the exit
527 ft·14 sec
11
Merge onto US 50
26 mi·36 min·Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 27BToward MD 2 North: Ritchie Highway, Severna ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto MD 2
8.0 mi·12 min·Governor Ritchie Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward MD 10 North, I 695: Baltimore
15
Merge onto MD 10
1.1 mi·1 min·Arundel Expressway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10
3.4 mi·4 min·Arundel Expressway
Toward MD 10 North: BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward MD 270Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto MD 270
0.8 mi·1 min·East Furnace Branch Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto MD 2
1.2 mi·2 min·Ritchie Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 895
21
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
3.1 mi·4 min·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
22
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi·3 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi·2 min·Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
24
Continue on I 895
1.2 mi·1 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 11AToward Boston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff
520 ft·14 sec·O'Donnell Street Cutoff
27
Turn left onto Interstate Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Interstate Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 95 North: New York
29
Merge onto I 95
0.6 mi·51 sec·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Exit 59Toward MD 150: Eastern AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
256 ft·8 sec
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East EssexUse the right lane.
32
Turn right onto MD 150
2.3 mi·4 min·Eastern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on MD 150
1.0 mi·2 min·Eastern Boulevard
34
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
211 ft·13 sec·North Taylor Avenue
35
Turn right
521 ft·38 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for at least one stop along the way will help break up the drive and keep you refreshed. Keep in mind that because the route relies heavily on local roads, traffic patterns can vary significantly, so check your navigation app before pulling out of Delmar. Given the $18 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before you leave will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Essex without worrying about mid-trip refueling. Use your one planned stop to stretch your legs, especially since the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires more active steering than a typical highway drive.
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 53.9 miles from Delmar, MD, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.9 miles or 1h 15m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Delmar, 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 Delmar, MD
This is one driving day of about 107.8 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Delmar, 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 Ocean Gateway for about 26.1 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.2 and 104.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
79.2 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward MD 2 North: Ritchie Highway, Severna Park
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 27B
Toward MD 2 North: Ritchie Highway, Severna Par...
7
88.9 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|MD 10 / Arundel Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10 / Arundel Expressway toward MD 10 North: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MD 10 North: Baltimore
7
102.7 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward Boston Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11A
Toward Boston Street
7
104 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59
Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
9
104.3 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.57
$39.15
premium
$4.93
$20.91
$41.81
diesel
$5.61
$23.80
$47.60
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(3.4 mi)$0.23
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
$18
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.3
0
$11.32
$5.17
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.43
$4.31
EV Truck/SUV
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 21, 2026
Origin
Delmar, MD
Late night
in Delmar on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Essex, MD
Late night
in Essex on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ridgely, MD
54 mi in
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
2h 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. With a highway share of only 5%, you will find that most of your time is spent navigating smaller thoroughfares like Sussex Highway and Shore Highway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Ocean Gateway, covering 26.1 miles before you shift back into more localized driving patterns. This route lacks the repetitive nature of an interstate, instead requiring you to navigate various transitions between major roads. You should anticipate a dynamic driving experience where the road conditions shift frequently as you move through the countryside.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.1 mi on Ocean Gateway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 79.2 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 24 significant decision points across 107.8 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 79.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.9 miles (MD 10 / Arundel Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 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.
On the drive from Delmar, MD to Essex, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Severna Park along the way.
Southeast Baltimore, fittingly, covers the areas in the southeast of Baltimore, ranging from industrial wastelands to charming neighborhoods both quiet and hip.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 107.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.1 miles on Ocean Gateway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 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.
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 Essex, 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 79.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.9 miles (MD 10 / Arundel Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Essex, MD before heading back.
