This 159.4-mile drive from Ocean City, MD to Fort Washington, MD is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using Friendship Road and Worcester Highway, transitioning to Dupont Boulevard along the way. With a projected fuel cost of around $26, this route offers an economical journey. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a high-speed highway cruise. Given its manageable length and the regions you'll traverse within Maryland, it's well-suited for a direct trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
75.2 miles from Ocean City, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ocean Gateway
28.5 mi
39m
Dupont Boulevard
20 mi
28m
John Hanson Highway
18.7 mi
22m
Seashore Highway
18.4 mi
26m
Shore Highway
17.4 mi
24m
Capital Beltway
14.5 mi
19m
Indian Head Highway
6.5 mi
9m
Queen Anne Highway
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Ocean Gateway
— 28.5 mi, about 39m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,695 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~647 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
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 Ocean City, MD and Fort Washington, MD.
1
Start on MD 528
0.3 mi·46 sec·Philadelphia Avenue
2
Continue on US 50
5.9 mi·9 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the exit
154 ft·4 sec
4
Turn straight onto MD 452
1.6 mi·2 min·Friendship Road
5
Turn right onto MD 575
1.9 mi·2 min·Worcester Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·33 sec
7
Merge onto US 113
4.3 mi·5 min·Worcester Highway
8
Continue on US 113
20 mi·28 min·Dupont Boulevard
9
Turn left onto DE 18; DE 404
11 mi·17 min·Seashore Highway
10
Turn right onto US 13; DE 404
0.5 mi·42 sec·Sussex Highway
11
Take the exit
166 ft·5 sec
12
Continue on Rifle Range Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Rifle Range Road
13
Turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi·45 sec·Market Street
15
Turn right onto DE 404 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·Seashore Highway
16
Continue on MD 404
17 mi·24 min·Shore Highway
17
Continue on MD 404
6.2 mi·8 min·Queen Anne Highway
18
Take the exit
527 ft·14 sec
19
Merge onto US 50
29 mi·39 min·Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
19 mi·22 min·John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 7AToward I 95 South, I 495 South: RichmondUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 95; I 495
15 mi·19 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
0.5 mi·44 sec·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95 Local, I 495 LocalUse the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
411 ft·10 sec
Exit 3Toward MD 210: Indian Head, Forest HeightsUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·15 sec·this road
Exit 3Toward MD 210: Indian Head, Forest HeightsUse the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
447 ft·15 sec
Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
27
Turn left onto MD 210
6.5 mi·9 min·Indian Head Highway
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto Old Fort Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Old Fort Road
29
Turn left onto Washington Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Washington Drive
30
Continue on Diggers Lane
0.2 mi·48 sec·Diggers Lane
31
At end of road, turn left onto Reid Lane
314 ft·17 sec·Reid Lane
32
Turn right onto Warburton Drive
0.1 mi·32 sec·Warburton Drive
33
Arrive at destination
Warburton Drive
Trip Plan
For this straightforward 2 hour and 51 minute drive, departing from Ocean City, MD, you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the 159.4 miles in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since it's a turn-heavy local drive. A practical tip for this route would be to familiarize yourself with the main roads – Friendship Road, Worcester Highway, and Dupont Boulevard – before you depart, as the frequent turns mean you'll be making decisions about direction regularly. Enjoy the local feel of the journey.
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 75.2 miles from Ocean City, MD, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.5 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 33 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.2 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 53m
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 Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, MD
This is one driving day of about 150.4 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Ocean City, 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 Ocean Gateway for about 28.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 125.6 and 141.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
125.6 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond
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 7A
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond
8
141.1 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95 Local, I 495 Local
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 Local, I 495 Local
8
141.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward MD 210: Indian Head, Forest Heights
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 3
Toward MD 210: Indian Head, Forest Heights
6
141.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Continue toward MD 210: Indian Head, Forest Heights
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 3
Toward MD 210: Indian Head, Forest Heights
6
141.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.60 one way
$53.20 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$29.13
$58.27
premium
$5.24
$31.05
$62.10
diesel
$5.35
$31.68
$63.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.1
0
$15.79
$7.22
Efficient EV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.02
EV Truck/SUV
60.2
0
$21.06
$9.63
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Ocean City, MD
Afternoon
in Ocean City on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 13 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fort Washington, MD
Afternoon
in Fort Washington on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Chance Rain Showers
S 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Felton, DE
75 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
2 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
3h 34m 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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$20
near mile 140.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 159.4-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you won't encounter long stretches of uninterrupted highway driving. Instead, anticipate navigating a series of local roads, including Friendship Road, Worcester Highway, and Dupont Boulevard, which will likely involve more frequent turns and potentially varied speed limits. The absence of a 'longest stretch' metric further emphasizes the continuous nature of this local road network, suggesting a drive where you'll be actively engaged with the road conditions and turns from start to finish.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.5 mi on Ocean Gateway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 125.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 150.4 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 125.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.1 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.7 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
238 ft0 ft
Total Climb
336 ft
Total Descent
235 ft
Highest Point
238 ft
~139.7 mi in
Elevation Range
238 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ocean City, MD to Fort Washington, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Forest Heights along the way.
Ocean City is a popular oceanfront resort city on the coast of Maryland. Many things draw visitors -- skyscraper hotels, clean beaches, the boardwalk, restaurants, beachfront lodging, amusement parks and the large convention center -- but a simple bay sunset may be the greatest pleasure. Visitors range from families escaping the more urbanized Western Shore of Maryland to conventioneers soaking up the sun to teenagers enjoying the first taste of vacation without adult supervision
Top landmarks
•St. Paul's by-the-sea Protestant Episcopal Church — church building in Ocean City, United States of America
•Captain Robert S. Craig Cottage — house in Ocean City, Maryland, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 150.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.5 miles on Ocean Gateway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Fort Washington, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 125.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.1 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Assateague Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Washington, MD, but most travelers stay overnight.
