Origin
Selby-on-the-Bay, MD
Late night in Selby-on-the-Bay on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Selby-on-the-Bay, MD to Frederick, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
75.3 mi
121 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Selby-on-the-Bay, MD
Joachim Hoholm
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 75.3-mile drive from Selby-on-the-Bay, MD to Frederick, MD should take you about 1 hour and 36 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it primarily utilizes I-97, the Baltimore Beltway, and I-70, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $12, this route is quite budget-friendly for a quick journey within the Northeast region. The direct nature of the drive makes it ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Maryland locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from Selby-on-the-Bay, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 36.7 mi | 39m |
| I 97 | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Solomons Island Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Central Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| Aris T Allen Boulevard | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Edgemont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 36.7 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Selby-on-the-Bay, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on Edgemont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Edgemont Street
2
Turn right onto Hillside Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto MD 214
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Central Avenue
4
Turn right onto MD 2
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Solomons Island Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on MD 2
155 ft
·
9 sec
·
Solomons Island Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward MD 665 West, US 301, I 97, US 50: Aris T Allen Boulevard
7
Merge onto MD 665
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Aris T Allen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 97, US 50 West, US 301 South: Washington, Baltimore
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
10
Continue on I 97
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 97
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 97
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 97
Exit 17A
Toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 695
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 16A-B
Toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16A
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 70
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
419 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto MD 85
426 ft
·
9 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
22
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
23
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
24
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Street
25
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East South Street
26
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Carroll Street
27
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Patrick Street
28
Arrive at destination
MD 144
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 36 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility for departure times. Consider leaving early to avoid potential traffic on the Baltimore Beltway, a key part of this 75.3-mile trip. With a fuel cost around $12, you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between I-97, the Beltway, and I-70 to ensure you stay on the most direct path to Frederick.
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 37.6 miles from Selby-on-the-Bay, MD, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 54m 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 22m
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 Selby-on-the-Bay, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Selby-on-the-Bay, MD
This is one driving day of about 75.3 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Selby-on-the-Bay, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 36.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Selby-on-the-Bay, 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 26.3 and 74.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
26.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 97
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17A
Toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson
8
36.3 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
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 16A-B
Toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
8
36.5 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
8
74 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
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 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
9
74.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.48 one way
$24.97 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.67 | $27.35 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.60 | $29.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.63 | $33.25 |
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: 26.3 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 | 22.6 | 0 | $7.91 | $3.61 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
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
Late night in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 2 to 12 mph
6% chance
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
11 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
1h 36m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 72.7
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 75.3
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$20
near mile 75.3
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!
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 75.3
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$20
near mile 57.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 72% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 36.7 miles on I-70 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The route transitions smoothly between interstates, providing a straightforward driving experience for most of its 75.3 miles. This isn't a winding country road adventure, but rather a direct path designed for efficient travel.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.3 miles in near I 97.
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 75.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 26.3 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles: 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 Selby-on-the-Bay, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Towson and Local Traffic.
Baltimore
8.3 mi in
|
~16m
Towson
26.3 mi in
|
~38m
|
via I 97
Local Traffic
36.3 mi in
|
~51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 75.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on I 70. 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 26.3 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (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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