Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
54.9 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Gambrills, MD
Joachim Hoholm
This 54.9-mile drive from Frederick, MD, to Gambrills, MD, is a straightforward 1 hour and 10-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. The route predominantly utilizes major highways, with an 81% highway share, and is well within a manageable fuel budget of around $9. You'll primarily be on I-70 and MD 100, offering a consistent pace for most of the trip. Given its short duration and focused highway profile, this drive doesn't require an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting between these two Maryland locations efficiently.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| MD 100 | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Telegraph Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Columbia Pike | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Patuxent Freeway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North East Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Burns Crossing Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Annapolis Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and Gambrills, MD.
Start on MD 144
Turn right onto North Market Street
Turn right onto East Church Street
Turn right onto North East Street
Enter roundabout onto East Street
Continue on East Street
Continue on MD 85
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Take the exit
Merge onto US 29
Take the exit
Continue on MD 100
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MD 170
Turn left
Merge onto MD 32
Take the exit
Turn left onto Burns Crossing Road
At end of road, turn left onto MD 175
Turn left onto Gambrills Road
Turn right onto Maple Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.4 miles from Frederick, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 53.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 170: Linthicum, Odenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 170 South: Telegraph Road, Odenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Burns Crossing Road, Gambrills, Odenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$9.10 one way
$18.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.97 | $19.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.65 | $21.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.12 | $24.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.76 | $2.64 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.80 | $2.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Scattered Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in Gambrills on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 54.9-mile trip. With 81% of the drive on interstates and major roads like I-70 and MD 100, the pace is generally brisk. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.1 miles on I-70, providing a substantial period of consistent driving. While Telegraph Road offers a brief change of scenery, the overall character remains that of a modern, efficient highway route designed for direct travel. You'll likely find the drive to be predictable and smooth for most of its duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MD 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.8 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.9 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 33.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frederick, MD and Gambrills, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Washington and Odenton.
Baltimore
Washington
Odenton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 54.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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