Traveling from Frederick to Bennsville covers 76.6 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate via the Capital Beltway, the Eisenhower Memorial Highway, and the Indian Head Highway to reach your destination. With a fuel budget of roughly $12, the route remains an affordable option for local transit within Maryland. Since both the start and end points are located in the Northeast region, you will remain within a familiar geographic area throughout the journey. It is a straightforward drive that serves as a practical connection between these two Maryland locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.3 miles from Frederick, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Capital Beltway
22.6 mi
28m
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
27m
Indian Head Highway
9.6 mi
13m
I 270
6.6 mi
9m
Capital Beltway (Local)
4.3 mi
5m
Bensville Road
3.6 mi
6m
I 270 Spur
2 mi
2m
Buckeystown Pike
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 22.6 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and Bennsville, MD.
1
Start on MD 144
122 ft·7 sec·East Patrick Street
2
Turn right onto North Market Street
435 ft·18 sec·North Market Street
3
Turn right onto East Church Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·East Church Street
4
Turn right onto North East Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North East Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Enter roundabout onto East Street
101 ft·1 sec·East Street
6
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Street
7
Continue on MD 85
1.7 mi·3 min·Buckeystown Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 270 South
9
Merge onto I 270
22 mi·27 min·Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
6.6 mi·9 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 Spur
2.0 mi·2 min·I 270 Spur
Toward I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern VirginiaUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi·1 min·Capital Beltway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.7 mi·3 min·Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 South: Northern VirginiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
19 mi·23 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
4.3 mi·5 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 3AToward MD 210 South: Indian HeadUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on this road
1.1 mi·2 min·this road
Exit 3AToward MD 210 South: Indian Head
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward MD 210 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto MD 210
9.6 mi·13 min·Indian Head Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on MD 228
1.5 mi·2 min·Berry Road
21
Turn right onto MD 229
3.6 mi·6 min·Bensville Road
22
Turn left onto Billingsley Road
175 ft·4 sec·Billingsley Road
23
Arrive at destination
Billingsley Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-distance pacing. Since the entire drive takes under two hours, you can easily complete it without needing formal rest stops along the way. Keep in mind that the route's turn-heavy nature makes it feel longer than the mileage suggests, so factor in a little extra time if you prefer a relaxed pace. I recommend checking live traffic conditions before you depart, especially when navigating the Capital Beltway segment, to ensure your travel time stays close to the 1 hour and 46 minute estimate. Setting aside $12 for fuel should be sufficient to cover your trip expenses comfortably.
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 38.3 miles from Frederick, MD, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.6 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bennsville, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Frederick, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Frederick, MD
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Frederick, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 22.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.3 and 61.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
31.3 mi into trip|~43m in|I 270 Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 Spur toward I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virginia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virgini...
7
34.7 mi into trip|~47m in|I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 South: Northern Virginia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 South: Northern Virginia
8
56 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
7
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
7
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 210 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 210 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.70 one way
$25.40 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.91
$27.82
premium
$4.93
$14.86
$29.71
diesel
$5.61
$16.91
$33.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23
0
$8.04
$3.68
Efficient EV
19.2
0
$6.70
$3.06
EV Truck/SUV
30.6
0
$10.72
$4.90
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 15, 2026
Origin
Frederick, MD
Late night
in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bennsville, MD
Late night
in Bennsville on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
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 46m 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.
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...
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...
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!
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 11% of the route consists of highway travel, the rest of the journey shifts toward more technical, winding local roads. You will experience your longest uninterrupted stretch on the Capital Beltway, which spans 22.6 miles before the character of the road changes. Transitioning from major thoroughfares like the Eisenhower Memorial Highway onto the Indian Head Highway keeps the driving experience varied. Be prepared for frequent adjustments as the road profile shifts from fast-paced highway segments to more localized, twisting paths.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.6 mi on Capital Beltway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 31.3 miles in near I 270 Spur.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.6 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 31.3 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Frederick, MD to Bennsville, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Northern Virginia along the way.
Northern Virginia
31.3 mi in|~43m|via I 270 Spur
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 76.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.6 miles on Capital Beltway. 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 Bennsville, 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 31.3 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (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 Bennsville, MD before heading back.
