Truck Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Trip from Frederick, MD to Hillsmere Shores, MD
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Frederick, MD to Hillsmere Shores, MD is 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 30m via I 70 and I 97, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and the state of Maryland, primarily utilizing major interstate highways. Expect a straightforward drive with most of your time spent on the highway, making it a convenient option for a quick transit. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36 miles from Frederick, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| I 97 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| Forest Drive | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Aris T Allen Boulevard | 2 mi | 2m |
| Hillsmere Drive | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| North East Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 36.6 mi, about 39m
Traffic on I-695
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,835 veh/hr typical · worst 6,313
Quietest
2 AM
~322 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Hillsmere Shores, 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
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 70
Toward Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 91A
Toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 695
8.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on I 97
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 97
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 97
Toward Bay Bridge
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 22
Toward MD 665: Riva Road
20
Continue on MD 665
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Aris T Allen Boulevard
21
Continue on MD 665
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Forest Drive
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Hillsmere Drive
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Hillsmere Drive
23
Continue on Hillsmere Drive
269 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hillsmere Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Hillsmere Drive
Trip Plan
For this 1h 30m drive, leaving Frederick, MD in the morning or mid-afternoon should help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic around Baltimore. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need many stops, but there are ample opportunities for fuel and rest along I 70 and I 97. Plan to budget around $13 for fuel, and keep an eye on your GPS for real-time traffic updates, especially as you approach the Baltimore Beltway. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 36 miles from Frederick, MD, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 41m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsmere Shores, 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 72.1 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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 36.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 47.9 — 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.
7
29.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Baltimore
8
38.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
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 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Tows...
9
38.6 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91A
Toward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
8
47.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.75 one way
$25.50 round trip
$4.49/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.92 | $13.97 | $27.93 |
| premium | $5.24 | $14.89 | $29.77 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $15.19 | $30.37 |
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: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
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.
Origin
Frederick, MD
Afternoon in Frederick on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
N 6 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 1:20PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Hillsmere Shores, MD
Afternoon in Hillsmere Shores on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
NE 6 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 1:20PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 30m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 2.5
View on nps.gov
Antietam National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$20
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$20
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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 2.5
View on nps.gov
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 14.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the 72.1 miles on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 36.6 miles on I 70 before transitioning to I 97 and the Baltimore Beltway. Expect to encounter dense exit traffic as you approach and navigate around the Baltimore metropolitan area. The highway portion will likely feel like efficient cruising until you begin to merge with more local traffic closer to your destination.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 97. 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 Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 29.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
745 ft
44 ft
Total Climb
643 ft
Total Descent
880 ft
Highest Point
745 ft
~15.4 mi in
Elevation Range
701 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Hillsmere Shores, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Towson and Glen Burnie.
Baltimore
29.2 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 70
Towson
38.4 mi in
|
~43m
Glen Burnie
38.4 mi in
|
~43m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
49 West
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Annapolis, MD
Hours: Su-Th 07:30-24:00, Fr-Sa 07:30-02:00
Visit websiteBean Rush Cafe
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Crownsville, MD
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 07...
Visit websiteGracia Bin Collection
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Annapolis
Cuisine: coffee_shop
The Red Bean
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Annapolis, MD
Cuisine: coffee_shop;ice_cream
Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09:00-17:00
Ceremony Coffee Roasters
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Annapolis, MD
Cuisine: coffee
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00, Sa-Su 08:00-15:00
Grump's Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Annapolis
Cuisine: burger;breakfast
Hours: Mo 08:00-15:00; Tu-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa-Su...
Visit websitePapa John's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Annapolis, MD
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-24:00
Visit websiteCaliente Grill
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteJoy Luck I
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: chinese
Visit websiteAnnapolis Smokehouse And Tavern
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: american;barbecue
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Annapolis, MD
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-21:30; Su 09:00-19:30
Visit websiteMount Airy Carnival Grounds
Park
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Carver Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
North Farm Park
Park
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Severn Run Natural Environment Area
Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Gilson Park
Park
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Great Frederick Fair
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Banneker School
Monument
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
P
Monument
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Visit website
New Market Historic District
District
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Mount Airy Historic District
District
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Memorial Garden Plaque 2
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Memorial Garden Plaque 1
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Residence Inn
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Frederick, MD
Full guide →Founded 1745
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
Arriving in Hillsmere Shores, MD
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 72.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.6 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 Hillsmere Shores, 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 29.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Hillsmere Shores, MD before heading back.
How this page is built
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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