Frederick, MD to Grasonville, MD is 81.4 miles and takes about 1h 45m via I 70 and MD 100, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, taking you from the Northeast region towards the Eastern Shore. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on well-maintained highways, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a smooth transition as you head towards your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from Frederick, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
32.1 mi
34m
MD 100
17.5 mi
23m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
16.2 mi
23m
Governor Ritchie Highway
6.1 mi
8m
Ritchie Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Columbia Pike
2.3 mi
2m
Arundel Expressway
1 mi
1m
North East Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 32.1 mi, about 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,269 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16×
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 Grasonville, 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
0.2 mi·17 sec·Buckeystown Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
9
Merge onto I 70; US 40
21 mi·22 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
6.5 mi·6 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
4.6 mi·4 min·I 70
Toward Baltimore
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 87AToward US 29 South: Columbia, WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 29
2.3 mi·2 min·Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 22Toward MD 100 East: Glen BurnieUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on MD 100
18 mi·23 min·MD 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto MD 10; MD 100
0.3 mi·25 sec·Arundel Expressway
17
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.
18
Turn left onto MD 2
2.4 mi·3 min·Ritchie Highway
19
Continue on MD 2
6.1 mi·8 min·Governor Ritchie Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Bay Bridge
21
Merge onto US 50; US 301
16 mi·23 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Chester River Beach Road
23
Turn right onto Chester River Beach Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Chester River Beach Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto MD 18
0.2 mi·33 sec·Main Street
25
Turn right onto Perrys Corner Road
81 ft·2 sec·Perrys Corner Road
26
Arrive at destination
Perrys Corner Road
Trip Plan
For this 1h 45m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need many stops, but there are plenty of opportunities for fuel and rest along the way. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, so factor that into your budget. A specific tip for this route: be aware that MD 100 can experience moderate traffic, especially during peak commuting hours, so allow a little extra time if traveling then.
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 40.7 miles from Frederick, MD, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.1 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 47m 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 Grasonville, 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 81.4 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Frederick, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 32.1 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 0.4 and 81.2 — 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.
8
33.8 mi into trip|~38m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87A
Toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington
7
36.9 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 22
Toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
7
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|MD 18 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto MD 18 / Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.40 one way
$28.79 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$15.77
$31.53
premium
$5.24
$16.81
$33.61
diesel
$5.35
$17.15
$34.29
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: 28.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.55
$3.91
Efficient EV
20.4
0
$7.12
$3.26
EV Truck/SUV
32.6
0
$11.40
$5.21
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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
4:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Grasonville, MD
Afternoon
in Grasonville on Wednesday
Local time
4:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% 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 45m 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...
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...
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!
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 2.8
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$20
near mile 16.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about 62% of this 81.4-mile route to be highway driving, primarily on I 70. You'll experience a longest stretch of 32.1 miles on I 70 before transitioning to other roads. The latter portion of the drive will involve more surface streets as you approach Grasonville. Keep an eye out for frequent exits on the highway segments.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 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 81.4 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 0.4 miles (North East Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
745 ft8 ft
Total Climb
488 ft
Total Descent
761 ft
Highest Point
745 ft
~17.4 mi in
Elevation Range
737 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 Grasonville, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and Washington.
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 45m. Total distance: 81.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.1 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas 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 Grasonville, 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 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.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (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 Grasonville, MD before heading back.
