Traversing the 107.8 miles from Frederick to Solomons, Maryland, is a manageable journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Because this trip falls well within a single day’s travel, you can easily complete it as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. While the route begins in the interior of the state, it concludes at the water in Solomons, offering a clear transition from the foothills to the coast. This drive is practical for those looking to reach the Chesapeake area efficiently while keeping logistics simple.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
53.9 miles from Frederick, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Capital Beltway
21.9 mi
28m
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
27m
South Solomons Island Road
17.9 mi
27m
Southern Maryland Boulevard
10.2 mi
14m
I 270
9.4 mi
12m
North Solomons Island Road
9 mi
13m
Ritchie Marlboro Road
5.9 mi
10m
Stephanie Roper Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 21.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, MD and Solomons, 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
4.9 mi·6 min·Stephanie Roper Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on MD 4
10 mi·14 min·Southern Maryland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on MD 2; MD 4
9.0 mi·13 min·North Solomons Island Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on MD 2; MD 4
17 mi·23 min·South Solomons Island Road
Use the left lane.
26
Take the exit
493 ft·14 sec
27
Turn left onto MD 765
1.4 mi·2 min·H.G. Trueman Road
28
Continue on South Solomons Island Road
0.9 mi·3 min·South Solomons Island Road
29
Turn slight right onto Patuxent Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Patuxent Avenue
30
Turn right
67 ft·4 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about a rigorous multi-day itinerary. You only need to build in one stop to keep the drive comfortable and efficient throughout the 2 hours and 35 minutes of travel time. To make the most of your journey, try to avoid peak traffic hours on the Capital Beltway, as this section accounts for your longest stretch of highway and can be prone to congestion. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Frederick, as the local roads leading into Solomons may have fewer service options than the initial highway segments. Utilizing the $18 fuel budget effectively will ensure you reach the coast without any unexpected detours for gas.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 53.9 miles from Frederick, MD, or about 1h 12m 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 24 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.9 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Solomons, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Frederick, MD
This is one driving day of about 107.8 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Frederick, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 56.4 — 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
6
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.57
$39.15
premium
$4.93
$20.91
$41.81
diesel
$5.61
$23.80
$47.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.3
0
$11.32
$5.17
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.43
$4.31
EV Truck/SUV
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Frederick, MD
Night
in Frederick on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 to 12 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Solomons, MD
Night
in Solomons on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
8 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
2h 35m 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
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 14.9
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 100.3
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 requires your full attention once you move away from the major thoroughfares. Only 9% of this 107.8-mile journey involves highway travel, meaning the vast majority of your time is spent on smaller, winding roads. You will encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip while navigating 21.9 miles on the Capital Beltway, but the pace quickly shifts as you transition onto the Eisenhower Memorial Highway and South Solomons Island Road. Navigating these local corridors provides a much more intimate, technical experience behind the wheel than a standard interstate cruise. Be prepared for frequent turns and a changing rhythm as the road character evolves from high-speed segments to slower-paced local driving.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 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?
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 0.4 miles in near North East Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 107.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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
617 ft12 ft
Total Climb
533 ft
Total Descent
803 ft
Highest Point
617 ft
~15.4 mi in
Elevation Range
605 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 Solomons, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Upper Marlboro.
College Park
31.3 mi in|~43m|via I 270
Upper Marlboro
56 mi in|~1h 15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 107.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m 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.
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 Solomons, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 (6 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 Solomons, MD before heading back.
