Origin
Owings, MD
Morning in Owings on Tuesday
Local time
9:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Owings, MD to Frederick, MD
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
74.3 mi
120 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Owings, MD to Frederick, MD is 74.3 miles and takes about 1h 45m via I 270 and Capital Beltway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region towards its central part. Expect a mixed drive that offers a blend of highway speeds and potentially some slower sections closer to your destination. It's a straightforward trip, ideal for a single day, allowing you to reach Frederick without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.2 miles from Owings, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 30.9 mi | 39m |
| Capital Beltway | 18.5 mi | 24m |
| Largo Road | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Stephanie Roper Highway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| East Chesapeake Beach Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Southern Maryland Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Landover Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Buckeystown Pike | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 270
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Owings, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on this road
105 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn slight right onto MD 778
244 ft
·
13 sec
·
Old Solomons Island Road
3
Turn left
74 ft
·
7 sec
4
Turn left
211 ft
·
23 sec
5
Turn sharp right
132 ft
·
14 sec
6
Turn left
50 ft
·
4 sec
7
Turn right
74 ft
·
9 sec
8
Turn right onto MD 778
244 ft
·
7 sec
·
Old Solomons Island Road
9
Turn right onto MD 260
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East Chesapeake Beach Road
10
Take the ramp onto MD 260
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
MD 260
Toward Maryland 4, Prince Frederick, Washington
11
Merge onto MD 4
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southern Maryland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on MD 4
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Stephanie Roper Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward MD 717: Upper Marlboro
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto MD 717
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Water Street
15
Turn right onto MD 725
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street
16
Turn left onto MD 202
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Largo Road
17
Continue on MD 202
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Landover Road
18
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: College Park, Baltimore
19
Merge onto I 95; I 495
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 270
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
27 mi
·
34 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 31
Toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto MD 85
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Buckeystown Pike
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on MD 85
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
26
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
27
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
28
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Street
29
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East South Street
30
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Carroll Street
31
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Patrick Street
32
Arrive at destination
MD 144
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of any potential commuter traffic on the Capital Beltway. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. Keep an eye on signage for I 270 as it's the primary artery for much of this journey, and remember that the longest stretch without a change is over 30 miles, so plan any quick stops before entering that segment if 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 37.2 miles from Owings, MD, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 55m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frederick, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Owings, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Owings, MD
This is one driving day of about 74.3 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Owings, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 270 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.2 miles from Owings, 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 71.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
31 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
40.5 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
7
44.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 North
8
71.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
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 31
Toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.49 | $26.98 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.41 | $28.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.40 | $32.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.57 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.50 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.76 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Morning in Frederick on Tuesday
Local time
9:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live 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
4 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 45m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 69.2
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$20
near mile 43.6
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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!
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 61.5
View on nps.gov
Antietam National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$20
near mile 74.3
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
$20
near mile 71.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a mixed drive, with 42% of the route being highway. You'll spend a significant portion on I 270, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.9 miles, where you can maintain steady speeds. The Capital Beltway is also a key segment, offering a faster pace before you transition onto other roads. As you approach Frederick, the character of the drive may shift, incorporating more local road travel.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on I 270.
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 0.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.3 miles you will encounter 24 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 0.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 31 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles (I 270): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Owings, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward Maryland 4, Prince Frederick, Washington, Baltimore and Silver Spring.
Maryland 4
4.4 mi in
|
~7m
|
via MD 260
Prince Frederick
4.4 mi in
|
~7m
|
via MD 260
Washington
4.4 mi in
|
~7m
|
via MD 260
Baltimore
21.5 mi in
|
~34m
Silver Spring
31 mi in
|
~47m
|
via I 495
About the Cities
Arriving in Frederick, MD
Full guide →Frederick is a charming city of approximately 80,000 people (2020) in Maryland. It is a major antique center with many shops, eateries, galleries and antique dealers.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). 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 30.9 miles on I 270. 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: at 0.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 31 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (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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