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Trip from Essex, MD to Boonsboro, MD

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 41m

Distance

66.9 mi

108 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 34m ★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

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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town in Washington County, Maryland, United States

Boonsboro, MD

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Essex to Boonsboro covers 66.9 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including Eastern Boulevard, Eastern Avenue, and MD 151 North, rather than relying on major interstate systems. With fuel costs estimated at $11, it is an affordable excursion within the state of Maryland. Because this route involves no planned stops, you should plan your own breaks accordingly based on your personal comfort. It is an ideal path for those looking to transition from the Northeast region toward the interior of the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

33.5 miles from Essex, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway 19.1 mi 27m
US 50 6.9 mi 9m
Queen Anne Highway 6.2 mi 8m
Governor Ritchie Highway 6.1 mi 8m
Arundel Expressway 4.7 mi 6m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway 4 mi 5m
Ridgely Road 3.7 mi 6m
Ritchie Highway 3.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Blue Star Memorial Highway — 19.1 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

359 ft · 31 sec · this road
2

Turn left

184 ft · 15 sec
3

At end of road, turn right onto MD 150

1.0 mi · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
4

Continue on MD 150

1.3 mi · 2 min · Eastern Avenue
Use the right lane.
5

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward MD 151 North: North Point Boulevard, Baltimore Use the right lane.
6

Turn straight onto MD 151

0.5 mi · 53 sec · North Point Boulevard
7

Turn left onto Kane Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Kane Street
8

Turn slight right

184 ft · 8 sec
9

Continue on East Lombard Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Lombard Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10

Turn left onto MD 150

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Ponca Street
11

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 895 Toll South
12

Merge onto I 895

1.8 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
13

Continue on I 895

1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
14

Continue on I 895

2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 895

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
16

Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

1.7 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Exit 6 Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

1.2 mi · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn straight onto MD 2

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ritchie Highway
19

Turn left onto MD 270

0.4 mi · 36 sec · East Furnace Branch Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward MD 10 South
21

Merge onto MD 10

4.0 mi · 5 min · Arundel Expressway
Use the straight lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · Arundel Expressway
Toward MD 10 South: Severna Park Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn left onto MD 2

2.4 mi · 3 min · Ritchie Highway
24

Continue on MD 2

6.1 mi · 8 min · Governor Ritchie Highway
Use the straight lane.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Bay Bridge
26

Merge onto US 50; US 301

19 mi · 27 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50

6.9 mi · 9 min · US 50
Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
28

Turn left onto MD 404

6.2 mi · 8 min · Queen Anne Highway
Use the left lane.
29

Continue on Shore Highway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Shore Highway
Use the left lane.
30

Turn left onto MD 480

2.9 mi · 5 min · Ridgely Road
Use the left lane.
31

Continue on MD 312; MD 480

0.9 mi · 1 min · 6th Street
32

Continue on MD 480

0.9 mi · 1 min · Ridgely Road
33

Arrive at destination

MD 480

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 41 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid local traffic congestion. Since this route is relatively short, you do not need to worry about complex overnight logistics or extensive fuel stops beyond your initial $11 budget. Take advantage of the lack of mandatory stops by pre-planning your own rest breaks at convenient locations along the local roads. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is mounted and ready to go before you pull out of Essex to avoid missing critical turns on Eastern Avenue or MD 151 North. Staying focused on the frequent navigational changes will make your transition to Boonsboro much smoother.

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 33.5 miles from Essex, MD, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 33.5 miles or 53m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boonsboro, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Essex, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Essex, MD

This is one driving day of about 66.9 miles and 1h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Essex, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 19.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, suburb of Washington, DC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kensington, MD

33 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

Glen Burnie, MD

Fuel and coffee

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

Annapolis, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.5 miles from Essex, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Narrows Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grasonville, Maryland

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14108278113

Visit website

Bridges Restaurant on Kent Narrows

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grasonville, Maryland

1 mi

Fisherman's Inn Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grasonville, Maryland

0.9 mi

The Narrows Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Grasonville, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14108278113

Visit website

Bridges Restaurant on Kent Narrows

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Grasonville, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14108270282

Visit website

Fisherman's Inn Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Grasonville, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14108278807

Visit website

Helmand Kabobi | Afghan Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14103272230

Visit website

LoonAsea Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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

Essex, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14435058895

Visit website

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.7

Annapolis, Maryland

Hours: 11:30 am–12 pm

+14102638333

Visit website

18TWENTY Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 38.2

Stevensville, Maryland

Hours: 4–8 pm

+14106435757

Visit website

Carson's Creekside Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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 end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66.9

Denton, Maryland

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14109347519

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 9.6

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Essex, Maryland

+18559007584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 9.6

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 14.3

Glen Burnie, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Capital Hotel Annapolis

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 28.7

Annapolis, Maryland

+14438376481

Visit website

Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 9.6

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14102460669

Visit website

Creative Alliance

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 12–5 pm

+14102761651

Visit website

Patterson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14102763676

Urban Pirates

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14103278378

Visit website

Baltimore Museum of Industry

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9.6

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14107274808

Visit website

Riverside Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 9.6

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+14103967931

American Visionary Art Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 9.6

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14102441900

Visit website

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 4.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14105633404

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 48.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

9
11.1 mi into trip | ~20m in | Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6 Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
6
12.7 mi into trip | ~22m in | Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight left at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.9 mi into trip | ~33m in | MD 10 / Arundel Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 10 / Arundel Expressway toward MD 10 South: Severna Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward MD 10 South: Severna Park
6
48.3 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | US 50

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.09 one way

$22.18 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $12.15 $24.29
premium $4.93 $12.97 $25.95
diesel $5.61 $14.77 $29.54

Estimated Tolls: $0.28

Harbor Tunnel Thruway (4 mi) $0.28

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

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.1 0 $7.02 $3.21
Efficient EV 16.7 0 $5.85 $2.68
EV Truck/SUV 26.8 0 $9.37 $4.28

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 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 17, 2026

Origin

Essex, MD

Late night in Essex on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Boonsboro, MD

Late night in Boonsboro on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°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

1 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 41m 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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating through local intersections and varying speed zones for the duration of the trip. The character of the road is technical rather than fast, requiring you to stay alert for frequent turns along your path. Since there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive maintains a steady, consistent pace that keeps you engaged with the local landscape. You will find that the lack of highway usage results in a more hands-on driving experience as you move across the region.

Only 17% 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: 19.1 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.

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 0.1 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 66.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): 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.

Between Essex, MD and Boonsboro, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Rehoboth.

Annapolis

11.1 mi in | ~20m | via Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Glen Burnie

11.1 mi in | ~20m | via Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Rehoboth

48.3 mi in | ~1h 14m | via US 50

About the Cities

Starting 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.

Arriving in Boonsboro, MD

Full guide →

Boonsboro is a small town in Washington County, Western Maryland. Boonsboro is primarily an agricultural center, but it's also just a nice historic town for a leisurely lunch or dinner, and perhaps a stop at one of the museums, while exploring the area.

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 41m. Total distance: 66.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 19.1 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.28 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 Boonsboro, 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 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Boonsboro, 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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Explore More

Return Trip

Boonsboro, MD to Essex, MD

Plan the drive back the other way.

66.3 mi 1h 41m

More from Essex, MD

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