Origin
Hanover, MD
Late night in Hanover on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hanover, MD to Frederick, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57m
Distance
46.3 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hanover, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 46.3-mile drive from Hanover, MD, to Frederick, MD, is easily manageable in about 57 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-70, with segments on Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway and Columbia Pike, offering a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, this is an economical option for a quick journey within the Northeast region. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, and its short duration allows for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Plan for a single day of travel to enjoy this direct connection between two Maryland locations.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 32.6 mi | 35m |
| Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| Columbia Pike | 3 mi | 3m |
| Coca Cola Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Hi Tech Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Carroll Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Patrick Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 32.6 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hanover, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on this road
68 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto Hanover Road
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Hanover Road
3
Turn right onto Hi Tech Drive
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Hi Tech Drive
4
Continue on Coca Cola Drive
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Coca Cola Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
6
Merge onto MD 100
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 29 North
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 29
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 25B
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
419 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto MD 85
426 ft
·
9 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
16
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
17
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
18
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Street
19
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East South Street
20
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Carroll Street
21
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Patrick Street
22
Arrive at destination
MD 144
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.2 miles from Hanover, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 45.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Hanover Road
Turn sharp left onto Hanover Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
8.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 North
7
12.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Frederick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 25B
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
8
45 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
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 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
9
45.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.68 one way
$15.35 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.41 | $16.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.98 | $17.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.22 | $20.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.86 | $2.22 |
| Efficient EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.05 | $1.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.48 | $2.96 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Frederick, MD
Late night in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Columbia, MD
23 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
57m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with about 70% of the route on high-speed roads like I-70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.6 miles on I-70, providing a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, you'll also navigate sections of Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway and Columbia Pike, which may offer a slight change in scenery or speed. This drive is designed for efficiency, keeping you moving with minimal detours.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hanover Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 46.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hanover Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 46.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.6 miles on I 70. 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 Frederick, 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: near the start (Hanover Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Frederick, MD before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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