Frederick, MD to Deale, MD is 76.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m via Capital Beltway and I-270, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, primarily navigating Maryland's thoroughfares. While it involves some highway time, much of the route is on surface roads, making it a fairly straightforward trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct, single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.2 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
21.9 mi
28m
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
27m
I 270
9.4 mi
12m
Southern Maryland Boulevard
6.3 mi
9m
Ritchie Marlboro Road
5.9 mi
10m
Stephanie Roper Highway
4.6 mi
6m
Buckeystown Pike
1.7 mi
3m
Pennsylvania Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 21.9 mi, about 28m
Traffic on I-270
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~6,103 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and Deale, 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 left at fork onto I 270
2.8 mi·3 min·I 270
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College ParkUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 495
22 mi·28 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper MarlboroUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road
15
Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
286 ft·4 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
16
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
17
Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
140 ft·2 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
18
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
0.4 mi·41 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
19
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
5.2 mi·9 min·Ritchie Marlboro Road
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MD 4 South: Prince Frederick
21
Merge onto MD 4
1.3 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on MD 4
4.6 mi·6 min·Stephanie Roper Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward MD 258 East: Bristol, DealeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on MD 258
6.3 mi·9 min·Southern Maryland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Rockhold Creek Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Rockhold Creek Road
26
Turn left onto MD 256
0.3 mi·48 sec·Deale Road
27
Turn right onto Drum Point Road
0.3 mi·53 sec·Drum Point Road
28
At end of road, turn left onto Owings Beach Road
0.1 mi·27 sec·Owings Beach Road
29
Turn right onto Trapper Way
167 ft·7 sec·Trapper Way
30
Arrive at destination
Trapper Way
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under two hours and can be completed in a single day, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the busiest commuter traffic on the Capital Beltway. With only 76.4 miles to cover, you likely won't need more than one quick stop for fuel or a restroom break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Deale, as services might become less frequent on the surface roads closer to your destination. Your estimated fuel cost is around $13.
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 38.2 miles from Frederick, MD, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.9 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 38.2 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deale, 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 76.4 miles and 1h 49m.
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 21.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 68.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|North East Street
Turn right onto North East Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
24.7 mi into trip|~34m in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.3 mi into trip|~43m in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
8
56 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
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 13
Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
7
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward MD 258 East: Bristol, Deale
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.
Toward MD 258 East: Bristol, Deale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.51 one way
$27.02 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$14.80
$29.60
premium
$5.24
$15.77
$31.55
diesel
$5.35
$16.09
$32.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.9
0
$8.02
$3.67
Efficient EV
19.1
0
$6.69
$3.06
EV Truck/SUV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Frederick, MD
Afternoon
in Frederick on Wednesday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Deale, MD
Afternoon
in Deale on Wednesday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 3 to 9 mph1% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 49m 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...
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?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 12% on highways like I-270 and the Capital Beltway. You'll encounter your longest stretch on the Capital Beltway, covering 21.9 miles. Expect to transition from highway speeds to more typical surface road conditions as you get closer to Deale. The frequent exits on the Capital Beltway mean you'll be merging and navigating traffic for a significant portion of the highway segment.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.9 mi on Capital Beltway.
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 0.4 miles in near North East Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.4 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 0.4 miles (North East Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
524 ft10 ft
Total Climb
284 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
524 ft
~16.4 mi in
Elevation Range
514 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frederick, MD and Deale, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Upper Marlboro.
Frederick is a charming city of approximately 80,000 people (2020) in Maryland. It is a major antique center with many shops, eateries, galleries and antique dealers.
Top landmarks
•Frederick Armory — drill hall in Frederick, United States of America
•Frederick Historic District — historic district in Maryland, United States
•Hessian Barracks — historic barracks building in Frederick, Maryland, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 76.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.9 miles on Capital Beltway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Deale, 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 0.4 miles (North East Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (I 270): 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 Deale, MD before heading back.
