Origin
Potomac, MD
Late night in Potomac on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Potomac, MD to Hagerstown, 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 13m
Distance
56.8 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Potomac, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Hagerstown, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Potomac to Hagerstown, you are looking at a straightforward 56.8-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, it is an economical choice for a weekend getaway or a necessary business transit. You will be traveling entirely within Maryland, moving through the Northeast region. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, it offers a great balance of accessibility and efficiency for travelers looking to reach their destination without a complicated itinerary.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 26.1 mi | 33m |
| I 70 | 21 mi | 22m |
| Falls Road | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| Dual Highway | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| East Franklin Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Potomac Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 270
— 26.1 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac, MD and Hagerstown, MD.
1
Start on this road
81 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto MD 189
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Falls Road
3
Continue on MD 189
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Falls Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 North
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 270
26 mi
·
33 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 32
Toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 70 West: Hagerstown
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 70
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 32B
Toward US 40 West: Hagerstown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto US 40
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Dual Highway
11
Continue on US 40
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Franklin Street
12
Turn left onto North Potomac Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Potomac Street
13
Turn left onto US 40
118 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
US 40
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.4 miles from Potomac, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 52.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 270 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 270 North
6
5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 270
Merge onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 North
8
31.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
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 32
Toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
7
31.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Hagerstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Hagerstown
7
52.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 40 West: Hagerstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 32B
Toward US 40 West: Hagerstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.42 one way
$18.83 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.31 | $20.63 |
| premium | $4.93 | $11.02 | $22.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.54 | $25.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.73 |
| Efficient EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.64 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Hagerstown, MD
Late night in Hagerstown on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 13m 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 experience, as 83% of your time will be spent cruising on major interstates. The journey relies heavily on I-270 and I-70, with shorter segments on Falls Road to navigate the start of your trek. You will encounter a significant 26.1-mile stretch on I-270, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. While the route is dominated by fast-paced highway travel, the transition from local roads to these major thoroughfares defines the personality of the trip. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that prioritizes getting you to Hagerstown as efficiently as possible.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.1 mi on I 270.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 270 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Potomac, MD to Hagerstown, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Baltimore along the way.
Baltimore
31.1 mi in
|
~42m
About the Cities
Starting in Potomac, MD
Full guide →Potomac is an unincorporated district in Montgomery County, Maryland and a suburb of Washington DC.
Arriving in Hagerstown, MD
Full guide →Hagerstown, nicknamed The Hub City, is a charming city on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains and near the Potomac River in northwestern Maryland, United States.
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 13m. Total distance: 56.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.1 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 Hagerstown, 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Antietam National Battlefield (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 Hagerstown, 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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