Frostburg, MD to Laurel, MD is 147.6 miles and takes about 2h 55m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, connecting the western part of the state to the central region. You'll experience a mix of driving conditions, making it a manageable one-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration, it's a good option for a quick transit or a short getaway.
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
73.8 miles from Frostburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
71 mi
1h 16m
National Freeway
41.5 mi
47m
Sykesville Road
8.1 mi
11m
Patuxent Freeway
7.2 mi
9m
National Highway
4.1 mi
6m
I 70
4 mi
4m
I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.3 mi
3m
I 95
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 71 mi, about 1h 16m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,404 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,952
Quietest
2 AM
~219 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
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 Frostburg, MD and Laurel, MD.
1
Start on this road
7 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn left
16 ft·3 sec
3
Turn right onto MD 36
139 ft·11 sec·North Water Street
4
Turn left onto US 40 Alternate; MD 36
1.0 mi·3 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on US 40 Alternate; MD 36
4.1 mi·6 min·National Highway
6
Turn slight right
440 ft·16 sec
7
Turn straight onto MD 53
0.2 mi·21 sec·Winchester Road
8
Turn left
0.4 mi·49 sec
9
Merge onto I 68; US 40
41 mi·47 min·National Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
3.3 mi·3 min·I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
12
Continue on I 70
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
4.0 mi·4 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 80Toward MD 32: Sykesville, ClarksvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
16
Merge onto MD 32
8.1 mi·11 min·Sykesville Road
17
Continue on MD 32
7.2 mi·9 min·Patuxent Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13BToward I 95 South: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 95
2.4 mi·2 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 35AToward MD 216 East: LaurelUse the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto MD 216
2.2 mi·3 min·MD 216
22
At end of road, turn left onto MD 198
0.5 mi·49 sec·Gorman Avenue
23
Turn left onto US 1
388 ft·9 sec·2nd Street
24
Turn slight left
190 ft·7 sec
Use the left lane.
25
Turn slight left onto MD 198
109 ft·3 sec·Talbott Avenue
26
Turn left
86 ft·2 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1-day drive, consider an early morning departure from Frostburg to avoid any potential afternoon traffic closer to Laurel. With a driving time under 3 hours, you might only need one brief stop, possibly around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before committing to longer highway stretches. Since this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed, but an early start will give you more time upon arrival in Laurel.
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 73.8 miles from Frostburg, MD, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 27m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurel, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Frostburg, 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 Frostburg, MD
This is one driving day of about 147.6 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Frostburg, 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 Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 71 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 144.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MD 36 / North Water Street
Turn right onto MD 36 / North Water Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.7 mi into trip|~11m in|I 68; US 40 / National Freeway
Merge onto I 68; US 40 / National Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward MD 32: Sykesville, Clarksville
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 80
Toward MD 32: Sykesville, Clarksville
7
141.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
7
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward MD 216 East: Laurel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35A
Toward MD 216 East: Laurel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.10 one way
$52.21 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$28.59
$57.18
premium
$5.24
$30.47
$60.95
diesel
$5.35
$31.09
$62.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.50
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.66
$9.45
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Frostburg, MD
Afternoon
in Frostburg on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Laurel, MD
Afternoon
in Laurel on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
78°F
Williamsport, MD
74 mi in
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 55m 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 101.8
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$20
near mile 86.5
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!
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 96.7
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$20
near mile 132.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 41% highway driving, with a significant stretch of 71 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. Expect to transition from the National Freeway onto surface roads like Sykesville Road as you get closer to your destination. The longer highway segment means you'll have a period of consistent cruising before encountering more varied road conditions.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MD 36 / North Water Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 147.6 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: near the start (MD 36 / North Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 68; US 40 / National Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,065 ft167 ft
Total Climb
1,282 ft
Total Descent
3,179 ft
Highest Point
2,065 ft
Elevation Range
1,898 ft
Notable High Points
1,200 ft at ~84.4 miles+559 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Frostburg, MD to Laurel, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Clarksville along the way.
Frostburg, often referred to as Mountain City, is a charming little town tucked in Allegany County, Western Maryland. The town is home to Frostburg State University and has a lively variety of student-oriented pubs. Frostburg has a slow, but rich history. Being one of the primary coach stops along the historic National Road, the town is built centered along Route 40 and is truly a Main Street community. The town is positioned in the Appalachian mountains, and its best attraction is its natural surroundings. From the center of town, once can take in a gorgeous, panoramic view of the surroundings mountains. Because of this natural setting, a wide range of outdoor, recreational activities are easily within reach. Frostburg is one of the primary stops along the Rails to Trails cycle path which connects Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.
Laurel is a city of 30,000 people (2020) in Prince George's County, Maryland. Largely residential, the city maintains a historic district centered on its Main Street, highlighting its industrial past.
Top landmarks
•Avondale Mill — United States historic place
•Laurel station — historic passenger rail station on the MARC Camden Line in Laurel, Maryland
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 147.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Laurel, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MD 36 / North Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 68; US 40 / National Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 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 Laurel, MD before heading back.
