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Trip from Denton, MD to Essex, MD

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 43m

Distance

68.2 mi

110 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Denton, MD, MD

Denton, MD

Jonathan Borba

Trip Overview

This 68.2-mile drive from Denton, MD to Essex, MD is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes. You'll primarily travel on Ocean Gateway, Governor Ritchie Highway, and Queen Anne Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, this route is an economical option for a quick journey. It offers a turn-heavy local driving experience, so don't expect long stretches of high-speed travel. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience and arrive without feeling rushed.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

34.1 miles from Denton, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ocean Gateway 26.1 mi 36m
Governor Ritchie Highway 8 mi 12m
Queen Anne Highway 6.2 mi 8m
Shore Highway 5.6 mi 7m
Arundel Expressway 4.5 mi 6m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway 3.4 mi 5m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway 3.1 mi 4m
Eastern Avenue 2.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Ocean Gateway — 26.1 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Denton, MD and Essex, MD.

1

Start on MD 619

68 ft · 6 sec · South 6th Street
2

Turn left onto Market Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Market Street
3

Turn left onto MD 404 Business

307 ft · 5 sec · Gay Street
4

Continue on MD 404 Business

1.1 mi · 1 min · Meeting House Road
5

Turn left onto MD 404

5.6 mi · 7 min · Shore Highway
6

Continue on MD 404

6.2 mi · 8 min · Queen Anne Highway
7

Take the exit

527 ft · 14 sec
8

Merge onto US 50

26 mi · 36 min · Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 27B Toward MD 2 North: Ritchie Highway, Severna Park Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto MD 2

8.0 mi · 12 min · Governor Ritchie Highway
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward MD 10 North, I 695: Baltimore
12

Merge onto MD 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · Arundel Expressway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10

3.4 mi · 4 min · Arundel Expressway
Toward MD 10 North: Baltimore Use the slight right lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward MD 270 Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn left onto MD 270

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Furnace Branch Road
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto MD 2

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ritchie Highway
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 895
18

Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway

3.1 mi · 4 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
19

Continue on I 895

2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 895

1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
21

Continue on I 895

1.2 mi · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 11A Toward Boston Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff

520 ft · 14 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff
24

Turn left onto Interstate Avenue

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Interstate Avenue
Use the left lane.
25

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 95 North: New York
26

Merge onto I 95

0.6 mi · 51 sec · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Exit 59 Toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork

256 ft · 8 sec
Toward MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex Use the right lane.
29

Turn right onto MD 150

2.3 mi · 4 min · Eastern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
30

Continue on MD 150

1.0 mi · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
31

Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

211 ft · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
32

Turn right

521 ft · 38 sec
33

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 43-minute duration, this route is perfect for a day trip. Consider an early morning departure to avoid potential local traffic, especially as you approach Essex. While there are no mandatory stops noted, plan for brief breaks as needed. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 26.1 miles, so you'll have opportunities to pull over if necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; with an estimated cost of $11, it’s an affordable trip, but it’s always wise to top off before heading out, especially in more rural sections of Ocean Gateway.

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 34.1 miles from Denton, MD, or about 48m 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 15 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 34.1 miles or 48m 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 24m

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 Denton, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Denton, MD

This is one driving day of about 68.2 miles and 1h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Denton, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.

census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Severna Park, MD

34 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Grasonville, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stevensville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Denton, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Bridges Restaurant on Kent Narrows

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grasonville, Maryland

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch · 37min in 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14108270282

Visit website

Fisherman's Inn Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grasonville, Maryland

0.6 mi

The Narrows Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grasonville, Maryland

0.7 mi

Best coffee break

Craft Bakery & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Denton, Maryland

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14109347519

Visit website

Bridges Restaurant on Kent Narrows

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Grasonville, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14108270282

Visit website

Fisherman's Inn Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Grasonville, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14108278807

Visit website

The Narrows Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Grasonville, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14108278113

Visit website

18TWENTY Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Stevensville, Maryland

Hours: 4–8 pm

+14106435757

Visit website

LoonAsea Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Essex, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14435058895

Visit website

Helmand Kabobi | Afghan Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14103272230

Visit website

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Annapolis, Maryland

Hours: 11:30 am–12 pm

+14102638333

Visit website

Carson's Creekside Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Middle River, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14102380080

Visit website

Craft Bakery & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Denton, Maryland

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14109347519

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Essex, Maryland

+18559007584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.1 mi from route

Glen Burnie, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Capital Hotel Annapolis

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Annapolis, Maryland

+14438376481

Visit website

Creative Alliance

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 12–5 pm

+14102761651

Visit website

Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14102460669

Visit website

Patterson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14102763676

Urban Pirates

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14103278378

Visit website

Riverside Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+14103967931

Baltimore Museum of Industry

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14107274808

Visit website

American Visionary Art Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14102441900

Visit website

Mr. Trash Wheel

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 39.7 and 64.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
39.7 mi into trip | ~56m 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
49.4 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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
63.1 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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
64.5 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
64.7 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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

$11.31 one way

$22.61 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $12.38 $24.77
premium $4.93 $13.23 $26.45
diesel $5.61 $15.06 $30.12

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

$11

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.5 0 $7.16 $3.27
Efficient EV 17.1 0 $5.97 $2.73
EV Truck/SUV 27.3 0 $9.55 $4.36

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Denton, MD

Late night in Denton on Tuesday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Essex, MD

Late night in Essex on Tuesday

Local time

4:10 AM

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

15 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

1h 43m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly local driving experience on this route, with only an 8% highway share. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it engaging rather than monotonous. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 26.1 miles along Ocean Gateway. As you transition between Ocean Gateway, Governor Ritchie Highway, and Queen Anne Highway, the road will likely shift from more open stretches to more developed or populated areas, requiring your attention to local traffic patterns and speed limits.

Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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 39.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.2 miles you will encounter 21 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 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles (MD 10 / Arundel Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 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 Denton, MD to Essex, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Severna Park along the way.

Severna Park

39.7 mi in | ~56m

About the Cities

Arriving in Essex, MD

Full guide →

Southeast Baltimore, fittingly, covers the areas in the southeast of Baltimore, ranging from industrial wastelands to charming neighborhoods both quiet and hip.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 68.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 43m 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.

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 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles (MD 10 / Arundel Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 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.

How this page is built

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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