If you are planning a trip from Essex to Greensboro, you are looking at a 70.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a simple day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the round trip, making it a very budget-friendly excursion. The drive keeps you entirely within the Northeast region of Maryland, moving through local corridors rather than major interstate systems. It is a straightforward trip that provides a reliable way to get from the suburbs to the more rural parts of the state without the stress of long-haul travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Essex, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
19.1 mi
27m
Ridgely Road
6.9 mi
12m
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
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 Greensboro, 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, BaltimoreUse 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 6Toward Annapolis, Glen BurnieUse 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 ParkUse 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
4.1 mi·7 min·Ridgely Road
33
Continue on MD 480
0.4 mi·42 sec·South Main Street
34
Turn right onto MD 314
137 ft·2 sec·East Sunset Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
MD 314
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to avoid peak local traffic hours. Given the nature of the turn-heavy roads, plan for a steady pace rather than trying to rush the 1 hour and 48-minute duration. You won't need to worry about mid-trip rest stops since there are zero scheduled stops on this 70.5-mile route, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Before you head out, double-check your fuel levels to ensure you stay within your estimated $11 budget. My best tip is to use a reliable GPS navigation app, as the reliance on local roads means you will encounter numerous turns where missing a single sign could easily add time to your commute.
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 35.3 miles from Essex, MD, or about 55m 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 16 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greensboro, 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 70.5 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
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
$11.69 one way
$23.38 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.80
$25.60
premium
$4.93
$13.67
$27.35
diesel
$5.61
$15.57
$31.13
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
$12
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: 24.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.2
0
$7.40
$3.38
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.17
$2.82
EV Truck/SUV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Greensboro, MD
Late night
in Greensboro on Sunday
Local time
12:44 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 48m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via Eastern Boulevard, Eastern Avenue, and MD 151 North, avoiding the high-speed monotony of major interstates entirely. Since the highway share for this route is 0%, you should prepare for a slower pace characterized by frequent turns and local traffic patterns. Without any long, uninterrupted stretches of open road, the journey requires your full attention as you transition between these smaller connector roads. It is a practical drive that favors local connectivity over the efficiency of high-speed transit.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 Greensboro, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Rehoboth.
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 1h 48m. Total distance: 70.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m 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 Greensboro, 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 Greensboro, MD before heading back.
