Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
135.8 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salisbury, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Hampstead, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Salisbury, MD to Hampstead, MD is 135.8 miles and takes about 3h 13m via Ocean Gateway and Sussex Highway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region towards the central part of the state. Expect a drive that predominantly uses surface roads, so plan for a more leisurely pace. With a single day recommended, this route is best suited for those looking for a straightforward drive without extensive overnight planning.
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
67.9 miles from Salisbury, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Gateway | 26.1 mi | 36m |
| Sussex Highway | 19.3 mi | 26m |
| Shore Highway | 17.4 mi | 24m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Northwest Expressway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| Hanover Pike | 8.3 mi | 13m |
| Governor Ritchie Highway | 8 mi | 12m |
| Seashore Highway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,561 veh/hr typical · worst 6,524
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Salisbury, MD and Hampstead, MD.
Start on this road
Turn left onto West Vine Street
Turn left onto US 13 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
Continue on US 13
Take the exit
Continue on Rifle Range Road
Turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
Turn left onto DE 404 Business
Turn right onto DE 404 Business
Continue on MD 404
Continue on MD 404
Take the exit
Merge onto US 50
Take the exit
Merge onto MD 2
Take the exit
Merge onto MD 10
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 100
Take the exit
Merge onto I 97
Take the exit onto I 97
Merge onto I 695
Take the exit
Continue on I 795
Take the exit
Continue on Butler Road
Turn left onto MD 30
Enter roundabout onto MD 30 Business
Continue on MD 30 Business
Continue on MD 30 Business
Turn left onto Shiloh Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 3h 13m, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart Salisbury, MD in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you approach Hampstead, MD. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, and it's always wise to top off before heading out on surface roads where gas stations might be less frequent. The longest stretch without a clear stopping point is 26.1 miles on Ocean Gateway, so plan accordingly for that segment.
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.
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 30 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.9 miles or 1h 35m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampstead, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, MD
This is one driving day of about 135.8 miles and 3h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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.
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 67.9 miles from Salisbury, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 85.4 and 116.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward MD 2 North: Ritchie Highway, Severna Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 100 / Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway toward MD 100 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 97 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 97 toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 795 North: Owings Mills, Reisterstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$22.69 one way
$45.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $24.97 | $49.95 |
| premium | $5.01 | $26.80 | $53.59 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $29.93 | $59.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.26 | $6.52 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.88 | $5.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.3 | 0 | $19.01 | $8.69 |
Gas CO2
48 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Salisbury on Wednesday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Hampstead on Wednesday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only about 10% spent on highways. You'll encounter longer stretches on roads like Ocean Gateway, including one segment of 26.1 miles. The majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads, so be prepared for varied speed limits and potential traffic lights. The transition from highway to surface roads happens early in your trip.
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 85.4 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 135.8 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 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles (MD 100 / Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
986 ft
Total Descent
97 ft
Highest Point
913 ft
~135.8 mi in
Elevation Range
893 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Salisbury, MD and Hampstead, MD, road signs point toward Severna Park, Towson and Reisterstown.
Severna Park
Towson
Reisterstown
Founded 1732
Salisbury is the largest city on the Eastern Shore (Maryland), best known for its eponymous university .
Founded 1888
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 135.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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