Gaithersburg, MD to Crisfield, MD is 168.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m via Blue Star Memorial Highway and Sussex Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region towards the state's Eastern Shore. Expect a drive that is mostly on surface roads, making it a more laid-back experience than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this is a solid option for a single-day excursion.
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
84.4 miles from Gaithersburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
30m
Sussex Highway
18.9 mi
25m
John Hanson Highway
18.7 mi
21m
Capital Beltway
16.3 mi
21m
Shore Highway
13.5 mi
18m
Crisfield Highway
13 mi
18m
Ocean Highway
11.9 mi
16m
Salisbury Bypass
10.6 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 21.6 mi, about 30m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~6,323 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~550 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 33 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 Gaithersburg, MD and Crisfield, MD.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto MD 355
251 ft·12 sec·North Frederick Avenue
3
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto MD 117
0.5 mi·1 min·West Diamond Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 270 South: Washington
6
Merge onto I 270
1.4 mi·1 min·Eisenhower Memorial Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
6.6 mi·9 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 495
16 mi·21 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 19AToward US 50 East: AnnapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 50
19 mi·21 min·John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
22 mi·30 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50
6.9 mi·9 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
14
Turn left onto MD 404
6.2 mi·8 min·Queen Anne Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Shore Highway
5.3 mi·7 min·Shore Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit onto MD 404 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·MD 404 Business
17
Turn slight right onto MD 404 Business
0.4 mi·50 sec·Franklin Street
18
Turn right onto South 5th Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·South 5th Avenue
19
Turn left onto Legion Road
282 ft·7 sec·Legion Road
20
Turn right onto MD 313; MD 404
8.1 mi·11 min·Shore Highway
21
Continue on DE 404
7.5 mi·9 min·Seashore Highway
22
At end of road, turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi·46 sec·Market Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto US 13
19 mi·25 min·Sussex Highway
25
Continue on US 13
3.8 mi·5 min·North Salisbury Boulevard
26
Take the exit onto US 13
270 ft·6 sec·US 13
Toward US 13, US 50
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13
0.8 mi·1 min·US 13
Toward US 13, US 50 East: Norfolk, Ocean City
28
Merge onto US 13; US 50
11 mi·12 min·Salisbury Bypass
29
Continue on US 13
0.6 mi·40 sec·South Fruitland Boulevard
30
Continue on US 13
12 mi·16 min·Ocean Highway
31
Take the exit onto MD 413
13 mi·18 min·Crisfield Highway
32
Continue on MD 413
1.0 mi·1 min·Maryland Avenue
33
Turn left onto North 4th Street
164 ft·10 sec·North 4th Street
34
Continue on North 4th Street
400 ft·17 sec·North 4th Street
35
Arrive at destination
North 4th Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 50-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Crisfield. With a total distance of 168.9 miles and a fuel cost estimated around $28, it's an economical trip. Plan for just one stop along the way to break up the drive. Given that it's mostly surface roads, be aware of local speed limits, especially as you pass through communities. This trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.4 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 37 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.4 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crisfield, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gaithersburg, 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 Gaithersburg, MD
This is one driving day of about 168.9 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Gaithersburg, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 21.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 69.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Chestnut Street
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~4m 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
9.1 mi into trip|~13m 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
7
28.2 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward US 50 East: Annapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward US 50 East: Annapolis
6
69.5 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 50
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.87 one way
$59.74 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$32.72
$65.43
premium
$5.24
$34.87
$69.74
diesel
$5.35
$35.58
$71.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.7
0
$17.73
$8.11
Efficient EV
42.2
0
$14.78
$6.76
EV Truck/SUV
67.6
0
$23.65
$10.81
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Gaithersburg, MD
Afternoon
in Gaithersburg on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Crisfield, MD
Afternoon
in Crisfield on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 13 mph10% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Felton, DE
84 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
11 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
3h 50m 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.
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...
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!
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...
Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime for...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
$25
near mile 151.4
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 145.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a highway share of 11%, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. You'll encounter about 21.6 miles consecutively on the Blue Star Memorial Highway before transitioning. Be prepared for frequent exits and intersections as you navigate through towns and rural areas. The profile is mostly surface roads, so expect a steady pace with occasional slowdowns.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.6 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 168.9 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 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
501 ft2 ft
Total Climb
114 ft
Total Descent
613 ft
Highest Point
501 ft
Elevation Range
499 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Crisfield, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Rehoboth and Ocean City.
College Park
9.1 mi in|~13m|via I 270
Rehoboth
69.5 mi in|~1h 33m|via US 50
Ocean City
131 mi in|~2h 58m|via US 13
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 168.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.6 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. 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 Crisfield, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Monocacy National Battlefield (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Crisfield, MD, but most travelers stay overnight.
