If you are planning a trip from Edgewood to Frederick, expect a 75.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes behind the wheel. This route serves as a straightforward day trip, easily completed in a single day without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly way to move across the state. Since the journey remains entirely within the Northeast region of Maryland, you won't experience drastic shifts in terrain or climate. It is an ideal choice for travelers looking for a direct connection between these two points without the complexity of a multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.6 miles from Edgewood, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
36.7 mi
39m
I 95
10.9 mi
14m
Express Toll Lanes
7.6 mi
9m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
Baltimore Beltway
4.6 mi
6m
Pulaski Highway
1.7 mi
3m
Edgewood Road
1.4 mi
3m
Mountain Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 36.7 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edgewood, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on this road
50 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Trimble Road
74 ft·9 sec·Trimble Road
3
Turn left onto MD 755
1.4 mi·3 min·Edgewood Road
4
Turn left onto US 40
1.7 mi·3 min·Pulaski Highway
5
Turn right onto MD 152
1.0 mi·1 min·Mountain Road
6
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 95
5.8 mi·6 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi·7 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi·1 min·Express Toll Lanes
10
Merge onto I 95
3.9 mi·5 min·I 95
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
7.0 mi·9 min·I 95
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 49BToward I 695 West: TowsonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 695
4.6 mi·6 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 16A-BToward I 70: Frederick, Local TrafficUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 16AToward I 70 West: FrederickUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 70
14 mi·15 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
12 mi·12 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
11 mi·11 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown FrederickUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
419 ft·10 sec
Toward Downtown Frederick, East StreetUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto MD 85
426 ft·9 sec·Buckeystown Pike
22
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Street
23
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft·2 sec·East Street
24
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·East Street
25
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi·24 sec·East South Street
26
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·South Carroll Street
27
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi·25 sec·East Patrick Street
28
Arrive at destination
MD 144
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1-hour and 19-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops, as the duration is short enough to manage in one go. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local roads rather than highways, traffic patterns on Trimble Road or Pulaski Highway can fluctuate; checking real-time navigation before you leave is a smart move. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside is always a good practice for local driving. Prioritize a steady pace and stay alert for the frequent turns that define this specific path.
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 36.6 miles from Edgewood, MD, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frederick, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edgewood, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Edgewood, MD
This is one driving day of about 73.1 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Edgewood, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 36.7 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 28.9 and 72 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
28.9 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 695 West: Towson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward I 695 West: Towson
8
34.1 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
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 16A-B
Toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
8
34.3 mi into trip|~48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
8
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
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 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
9
72 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.12 one way
$24.24 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.27
$26.55
premium
$4.93
$14.18
$28.35
diesel
$5.61
$16.14
$32.28
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: 25.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.68
$3.51
Efficient EV
18.3
0
$6.40
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Edgewood, MD
Late night
in Edgewood on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Frederick, MD
Late night
in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 to 12 mph6% chanceLive 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 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 32m 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.
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...
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$20
near mile 75.3
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$20
near mile 75.3
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!
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 72.7
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$20
near mile 57.1
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 keeps you engaged throughout the 75.3-mile distance. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route avoids highways entirely, relying instead on Trimble Road, Edgewood Road, and Pulaski Highway to navigate the landscape. Because 0% of the drive occurs on major highways, you will spend your entire time navigating local infrastructure. Expect a constant rhythm of turns and transitions as you move away from Edgewood and head toward Frederick. This is a practical, hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention rather than the passive cruise-control style of interstate travel.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.1 miles you will encounter 20 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 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Edgewood, MD to Frederick, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Local Traffic along the way.
Local Traffic
34.1 mi in|~47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 73.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 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 Frederick, 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 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (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 Frederick, MD before heading back.
