Hagerstown, MD to Shady Side, MD is 109.1 miles and takes about 2h 18m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, I-70, and I-97, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mixed driving experience with a good portion on major highways before transitioning to surface roads. It's a manageable one-day drive, ideal if you're looking for a straightforward trip without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.6 miles from Hagerstown, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
43.8 mi
47m
I 97
16.7 mi
19m
I 70
15.6 mi
16m
Baltimore Beltway
8.8 mi
12m
Muddy Creek Road
8.4 mi
13m
Solomons Island Road
3.4 mi
6m
Dual Highway
3.3 mi
6m
Shady Side Road
2.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 43.8 mi, about 47m
Traffic on I-695
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,373 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,350
Quietest
2 AM
~400 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Shady Side, 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
9.1 mi·9 min·I 70
Toward BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 91B-AToward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen BurnieUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 91AToward I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen BurnieUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 695
8.8 mi·12 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay BridgeUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 97
8.9 mi·10 min·I 97
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
7.8 mi·8 min·I 97
Toward Bay Bridge
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 22Toward MD 665: Riva Road
15
Continue on MD 665
0.8 mi·1 min·Aris T Allen Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward MD 2: Parole, EdgewaterUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto MD 2
3.4 mi·6 min·Solomons Island Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto MD 214
1.4 mi·2 min·Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto MD 468
8.4 mi·13 min·Muddy Creek Road
20
Continue on MD 468
1.0 mi·1 min·Shady Side Road
21
Continue on MD 468
1.8 mi·4 min·Shady Side Road
22
Turn right onto Snug Harbor Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·Snug Harbor Road
23
Arrive at destination
Snug Harbor Road
Trip Plan
For this 2h 18m drive, leaving in the morning is a good idea to avoid potential afternoon traffic congestion. Since it's under 110 miles, you can easily complete it in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one or two brief stops for fuel or a quick break, especially since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 43.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Shady Side, as fuel availability can vary in more rural areas.
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 54.6 miles from Hagerstown, MD, or about 1h 2m 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 2m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shady Side, 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.
+
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 Hagerstown, MD
This is one driving day of about 109.1 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.3 and 92.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
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. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Baltimore
8
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
63.6 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
73 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
7
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward MD 2: Parole, Edgewater
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MD 2: Parole, Edgewater
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.23 one way
$36.46 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$20.06
$40.13
premium
$5.01
$21.53
$43.06
diesel
$5.60
$24.05
$48.10
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: 38.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.7
0
$11.46
$5.24
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.55
$4.36
EV Truck/SUV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
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 Aug 25, 2026
Origin
Hagerstown, MD
Late night
in Hagerstown on Wednesday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shady Side, MD
Late night
in Shady Side on Wednesday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 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
7 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 18m 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 15.1
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 22.6
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 41.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive has a 30% highway share. You'll spend a significant stretch, up to 43.8 miles, on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. After the highway sections, primarily on I-70 and I-97, you'll transition to surface roads for the latter part of the trip. Be prepared for merging traffic as you move between these different road types.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 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?
10/10
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 54.3 miles in near I 70.
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 15 significant decision points across 109.1 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 54.3 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
724 ft8 ft
Total Climb
582 ft
Total Descent
1,113 ft
Highest Point
724 ft
~39 mi in
Elevation Range
716 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 Shady Side, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Towson, Glen Burnie and Edgewater.
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 2h 18m. Total distance: 109.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). 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.
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 Shady Side, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.3 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Shady Side, MD before heading back.
