If you are planning a trip from Delmar to Gwynn Oak, expect a 109.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Because this route is a manageable drive within Maryland, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can anticipate spending approximately $18 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick change of scenery. Since both locations are situated in the Northeast region, the transition between them is relatively seamless. Whether you are traveling for business or a short getaway, this direct route provides a straightforward path between these two Maryland points.
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
54.6 miles from Delmar, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m 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
Baltimore Beltway
7.7 mi
10m
Seashore Highway
7.5 mi
9m
Queen Anne Highway
6.2 mi
8m
I 97
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Ocean Gateway
— 26.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delmar, MD and Gwynn Oak, 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 left at fork onto MD 100
3.8 mi·5 min·Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
Toward MD 100 WestUse the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 13BToward I 97 North: BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 97
2.7 mi·3 min·I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto I 97
1.1 mi·1 min·I 97
Exit 17AToward I 695 West: Baltimore, TowsonUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 695
7.7 mi·10 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 15AToward US 40 East: BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 40
0.2 mi·22 sec·Baltimore National Pike
23
Turn left onto Ingleside Avenue
1.6 mi·3 min·Ingleside Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on North Forest Park Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·North Forest Park Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn slight left onto Hillsdale Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Hillsdale Road
26
Turn right onto Haddon Avenue
178 ft·11 sec·Haddon Avenue
27
Turn left
60 ft·4 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 38-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the repetitive nature of local road travel. Since the route relies heavily on regional highways rather than interstates, keep an eye on your GPS to stay on track through the various turns. Leaving during off-peak hours is a smart strategy to avoid potential congestion on these smaller, non-highway roads. Given the $18 estimated fuel cost, it is wise to fill up your tank before departing Delmar to avoid last-minute stops. Your greatest advantage here is flexibility, so take your time and enjoy the local scenery as you wind your way toward Gwynn Oak.
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 54.6 miles from Delmar, MD, or about 1h 16m 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 54.6 miles or 1h 16m 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 6m
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 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 109.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.2 and 104.6 — 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 100 / Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 100 / Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway toward MD 100 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MD 100 West
7
92.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13B
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
8
95.9 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
7
104.6 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
$18.09 one way
$36.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.81
$39.62
premium
$4.93
$21.16
$42.32
diesel
$5.61
$24.09
$48.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 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
32.7
0
$11.46
$5.24
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.55
$4.36
EV Truck/SUV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
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 14, 2026
Origin
Delmar, MD
Night
in Delmar on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gwynn Oak, MD
Night
in Gwynn Oak on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Ridgely, MD
55 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
11 degrees warmer 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
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 5% of the trip consisting of highway travel, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads like Sussex Highway and Shore Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 26.1-mile run along Ocean Gateway, which offers a brief reprieve from the frequent turns. This route lacks the high-speed isolation of a major interstate, instead offering a more grounded, hands-on driving experience. Be prepared for a varied pace as the road transitions through several different segments before reaching your destination.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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 20 significant decision points across 109.1 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 100 / Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 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.
Between Delmar, MD and Gwynn Oak, MD, road signs point toward Severna Park and Towson.
Severna Park
79.2 mi in|~1h 51m
Towson
95.9 mi in|~2h 15m|via I 97
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 109.1 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.
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.
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 100 / Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 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 Gwynn Oak, MD before heading back.
