Hampstead, MD to Fort Washington, MD is 76 miles and takes about 1 hour 54 minutes via Baltimore-Washington Parkway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region down towards the central part of the state. Expect a mixed drive, transitioning from potentially more open roads to busier stretches as you approach the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Given the relatively short duration, it’s a straightforward journey suitable for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick trip or commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38 miles from Hampstead, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
23.2 mi
32m
Baltimore Beltway
8.7 mi
11m
Anacostia Freeway
8.4 mi
13m
Northwest Expressway
8.4 mi
10m
Hanover Pike
8.3 mi
13m
Indian Head Highway
5.7 mi
8m
Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.2 mi
3m
Southwestern Boulevard
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
— 23.2 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampstead, MD and Fort Washington, MD.
1
Start on Shiloh Avenue
33 ft·2 sec·Shiloh Avenue
2
Turn right onto MD 30 Business
0.8 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on MD 30 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·Hanover Pike
4
Enter roundabout onto MD 30
309 ft·4 sec·Hanover Pike
5
Continue on MD 30
7.4 mi·11 min·Hanover Pike
6
Turn right onto Butler Road
0.5 mi·34 sec·Butler Road
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
8
Merge onto I 795
8.4 mi·10 min·Northwest Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 695 South: Glen BurnieUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 695
8.7 mi·11 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 12AToward US 1: ArbutusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 1: Southwestern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto US 1
1.7 mi·2 min·Southwestern Boulevard
14
Turn straight onto US 1
0.4 mi·35 sec·Washington Boulevard
15
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·26 sec·Washington Boulevard
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 195 East: BWI Airport
17
Merge onto I 195
1.1 mi·1 min·Metropolitan Boulevard
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 2BToward MD 295 South: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto MD 295
23 mi·32 min·Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward US 50 East: Richmond, AnnapolisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on MD 201
2.2 mi·3 min·Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on DC 295
8.4 mi·13 min·Anacostia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward Indian HeadUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward MD 210 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto MD 210
5.7 mi·8 min·Indian Head Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Old Fort Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Old Fort Road
27
Turn left onto Washington Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Washington Drive
28
Continue on Diggers Lane
0.2 mi·48 sec·Diggers Lane
29
At end of road, turn left onto Reid Lane
314 ft·17 sec·Reid Lane
30
Turn right onto Warburton Drive
0.1 mi·32 sec·Warburton Drive
31
Arrive at destination
Warburton Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility for departure times. Leaving Hampstead in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM or after 10 AM, can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic on the Baltimore Beltway and Baltimore-Washington Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave, as services can be more spaced out on certain parkway sections. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan for a quick break if needed during the 1 hour and 54-minute journey.
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 38 miles from Hampstead, MD, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.2 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 56m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Washington, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hampstead, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hampstead, MD
This is one driving day of about 76 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Hampstead, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Baltimore-Washington Parkway for about 23.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.4 and 55.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
18.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie
7
27.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Arbutus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward US 1: Arbutus
8
28 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1: Southwestern Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1: Southwestern Boulevard
7
32 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward MD 295 South: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward MD 295 South: Washington
8
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Richmond, Annapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East: Richmond, Annapolis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.60 one way
$25.20 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.80
$27.60
premium
$4.93
$14.74
$29.48
diesel
$5.61
$16.78
$33.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.8
0
$7.98
$3.65
Efficient EV
19
0
$6.65
$3.04
EV Truck/SUV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Hampstead, MD
Late night
in Hampstead on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Washington, MD
Late night
in Fort Washington on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 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
12 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
1h 54m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$20
near mile 62.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 76-mile drive features a highway share of 56%, indicating a significant portion is on faster-paced roads. You'll experience a mixed drive, starting with what might feel like more open Maryland highways before merging onto busier corridors. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 23.2 miles on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, offering a period of consistent travel without frequent exits. As you get closer to Fort Washington, expect the traffic to pick up, transforming the feel of the drive from suburban to more urban.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.2 mi on Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
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 18.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76 miles you will encounter 21 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 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hampstead, MD and Fort Washington, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis and Indian Head.
Annapolis
55.8 mi in|~1h 21m
Indian Head
67 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 76 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). 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 23.2 miles on Baltimore-Washington Parkway. 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 Fort Washington, 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 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 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 Fort Washington, MD before heading back.
