Spanning 140.4 miles, this Maryland trek from Pittsville to South Bel Air is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget about $23 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the route involves traveling along Gumboro Road, Millsboro Highway, and Pear Tree Road. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, the drive offers a consistent feel as you transition between these Maryland communities.
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
69.6 miles from Pittsville, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
49m
Dupont Boulevard
32.5 mi
46m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
19.9 mi
22m
Delaware Turnpike
6.3 mi
7m
Level Road
6.1 mi
9m
Churchville Road
5.4 mi
9m
Pear Tree Road
4.9 mi
7m
Shortly Road
4.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 42.2 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsville, MD and South Bel Air, MD.
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
75 ft·4 sec·Railroad Avenue
2
Turn right onto MD 353
4.1 mi·7 min·Gumboro Road
3
Continue on DE 26; DE 54
2.4 mi·3 min·Millsboro Highway
4
Turn left onto Pear Tree Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Pear Tree Road
5
Continue on Pear Tree Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Pear Tree Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto Careys Camp Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Careys Camp Road
7
Turn left onto Conaway Road
3.4 mi·5 min·Conaway Road
8
Continue on Shortly Road
4.8 mi·7 min·Shortly Road
9
Turn left onto US 113
10 mi·14 min·Dupont Boulevard
10
Continue on US 113
2.1 mi·2 min·DuPont Boulevard
11
Continue on US 113
23 mi·31 min·Dupont Boulevard
12
Continue on DE 1 Toll
4.4 mi·5 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 Toll North: Wilmington
13
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll
28 mi·31 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
6.5 mi·7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1
3.6 mi·4 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 162Toward DE 273: Newark, New CastleUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto DE 273
0.2 mi·25 sec·Christiana Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on DE 273
1.0 mi·1 min·Christiana Bypass
19
Continue on DE 273
0.7 mi·1 min·Christiana Road
20
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll South: Newark, Baltimore
21
Merge onto I 95
4.0 mi·4 min·Delaware Turnpike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
2.2 mi·2 min·Delaware Turnpike
Use the slight left lane.
23
Continue on I 95
20 mi·22 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 89Toward MD 155: Havre de GraceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MD 155
26
Turn straight onto MD 155
6.1 mi·9 min·Level Road
27
Turn right onto MD 22
5.4 mi·9 min·Churchville Road
28
Turn left onto Giles Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Giles Street
29
At end of road, turn left onto Linwood Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Linwood Avenue
30
Turn right onto South Shamrock Road
192 ft·8 sec·South Shamrock Road
31
Arrive at destination
South Shamrock Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 36 minute duration, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for your departure time, though planning for one planned stop will help break up the drive comfortably. Since you are not restricted by highway patterns, you can easily pace your travel to suit your schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $23 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local road conditions. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert at intersections, as the heavy reliance on local roads means you will encounter more frequent turns and directional changes than you would on a standard interstate route.
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 69.6 miles from Pittsville, MD, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 31 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.6 miles or 1h 38m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Bel Air, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pittsville, 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 Pittsville, MD
This is one driving day of about 139.1 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Pittsville, 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 Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 42.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 93.7 and 126.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
93.7 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
8
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward DE 273: Newark, New Castle
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 162
Toward DE 273: Newark, New Castle
5
100.2 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|I 95 / Delaware Turnpike
Merge onto I 95 / Delaware Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 95 / Delaware Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Delaware Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
7
126.3 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward MD 155: Havre de Grace
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 89
Toward MD 155: Havre de Grace
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.06 one way
$46.12 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.26
$50.51
premium
$4.93
$26.98
$53.95
diesel
$5.61
$30.71
$61.42
Estimated Tolls: $0.44
Delaware Turnpike
(6.3 mi)$0.44
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.7
0
$14.61
$6.68
Efficient EV
34.8
0
$12.17
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.47
$8.90
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 17, 2026
Origin
Pittsville, MD
Night
in Pittsville on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Bel Air, MD
Night
in South Bel Air on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Greensboro, MD
70 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
24 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
3h 8m 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.
Assateague Island National Seashore
National Seashore
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 driving experience that favors backroads over high-speed transit. With a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 140.4 miles navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising on interstates. This creates a technical driving environment where your focus remains on the road rather than long, monotonous stretches. Because the route relies on local roads like Gumboro Road and Millsboro Highway, the pace is steady and requires more active steering. It is a practical alternative for those who prefer avoiding highway congestion in favor of a more localized path.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 93.7 miles in near DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 139.1 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 93.7 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles (I 95 / Delaware Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Pittsville, MD and South Bel Air, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and New Castle.
Baltimore
93.7 mi in|~2h 6m|via DE 1
New Castle
97.3 mi in|~2h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 139.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.44 in tolls one way, starting with Delaware Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 South Bel Air, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 93.7 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles (I 95 / Delaware Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Assateague Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at South Bel Air, MD, but most travelers stay overnight.
