Hagerstown, MD to Arnold, MD is 88.4 miles and takes about 1h 48m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and MD 100, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, traversing the Northeast region of the US. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway travel with other road types, making it a straightforward, single-day journey. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a quick trip, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Hagerstown, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
43.8 mi
47m
MD 100
17.5 mi
23m
I 70
11.1 mi
11m
Governor Ritchie Highway
4.8 mi
6m
Dual Highway
3.3 mi
6m
Ritchie Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Columbia Pike
2.3 mi
2m
Arundel Expressway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 43.8 mi, about 47m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,926 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,417
Quietest
2 AM
~241 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.1×
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 Hagerstown, MD and Arnold, MD.
1
Start on US 40
0.4 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
2
Continue on US 40
3.3 mi·6 min·Dual Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70 East: Frederick
4
Merge onto I 70
44 mi·47 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 70; US 40
6.5 mi·6 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
4.6 mi·4 min·I 70
Toward Baltimore
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 87AToward US 29 South: Columbia, WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 29
2.3 mi·2 min·Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 22Toward MD 100 East: Glen BurnieUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on MD 100
18 mi·23 min·MD 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto MD 10; MD 100
0.3 mi·25 sec·Arundel Expressway
12
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.
13
Turn left onto MD 2
2.4 mi·3 min·Ritchie Highway
14
Continue on MD 2
4.8 mi·6 min·Governor Ritchie Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto Arnold Road
399 ft·23 sec·Arnold Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
198 ft·8 sec·Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
17
Continue on Church Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·Church Road
18
Arrive at destination
Church Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under two hours, this route is perfect for a same-day trip, offering plenty of flexibility. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic around the more urban areas you'll skirt. Fuel costs are estimated at $15, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Hagerstown to minimize any need for stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 43.8 miles, so plan for a brief break before or after this segment if needed. Given the manageable distance, you can easily adjust your schedule as needed.
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 44.2 miles from Hagerstown, MD, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 51m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnold, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hagerstown, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hagerstown, MD
This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Hagerstown, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 43.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 80.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4 mi into trip|~8m in|I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
54.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Baltimore
8
58.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
61.9 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.63 one way
$31.27 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$17.12
$34.25
premium
$5.24
$18.25
$36.50
diesel
$5.35
$18.62
$37.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.28
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.38
$5.66
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Hagerstown, MD
Afternoon
in Hagerstown on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arnold, MD
Afternoon
in Arnold on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
N 7 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
6 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
1h 48m 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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$20
near mile 15.2
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
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 24.4
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 39.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 88.4-mile drive presents a mixed driving experience, with 34% of it being highway. You'll encounter a 43.8-mile stretch on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, offering a consistent pace. As you progress, the route transitions, incorporating MD 100 and other roads, which will likely involve changes in speed and road type. The overall profile suggests a drive that isn't exclusively interstate, offering some variety as you make your way toward Arnold.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.8 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 around 4 miles in near I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 4 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.3 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 58.9 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
890 ft81 ft
Total Climb
822 ft
Total Descent
1,230 ft
Highest Point
890 ft
~19 mi in
Elevation Range
809 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hagerstown, MD and Arnold, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and Washington.
Hagerstown, nicknamed The Hub City, is a charming city on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains and near the Potomac River in northwestern Maryland, United States.
Top landmarks
•Washington County Museum of Fine Arts — art museum in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States
•Hager House — historic house in Maryland, United States
•Hagerstown City Park — historic public urban park in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 88.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). 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 43.8 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Arnold, 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 4 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.3 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 58.9 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 Arnold, MD before heading back.
