Origin
Shady Side, MD
Late night in Shady Side on Sunday
Local time
4:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shady Side, 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 49m
Distance
84.2 mi
135 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shady Side, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Frederick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Shady Side, MD to Frederick, MD is 84.2 miles and takes about 1h 49m via I 70 and I 97, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, making it a straightforward drive entirely within Maryland. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey. Given its relatively short duration and manageable cost, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.1 miles from Shady Side, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 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 |
| Muddy Creek Road | 8.4 mi | 13m |
| Solomons Island Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Shady Side Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Aris T Allen Boulevard | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 36.7 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shady Side, MD and Frederick, MD.
1
Start on Snug Harbor Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Snug Harbor Road
2
Turn left onto MD 468
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Shady Side Road
3
Continue on MD 468
8.4 mi
·
13 min
·
Muddy Creek Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto MD 214
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue
5
Turn right onto MD 2
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Solomons Island Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on MD 2
155 ft
·
9 sec
·
Solomons Island Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward MD 665 West, US 301, I 97, US 50: Aris T Allen Boulevard
8
Merge onto MD 665
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Aris T Allen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 97, US 50 West, US 301 South: Washington, Baltimore
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 97 North: Baltimore
11
Continue on I 97
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 97
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 97
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 97
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 695
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 16A-B
Toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16A
Toward I 70 West: Frederick
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 70
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 54
Toward MD 85: Buckeystown, Downtown Frederick
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
419 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Downtown Frederick, East Street
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto MD 85
426 ft
·
9 sec
·
Buckeystown Pike
23
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Street
24
Enter roundabout onto East Street
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Street
25
Continue on East Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Street
26
Turn left onto MD 144
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East South Street
27
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Carroll Street
28
Turn left onto MD 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Patrick Street
29
Arrive at destination
MD 144
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 49-minute drive, leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon will help you avoid peak traffic, especially around the Baltimore Beltway. Since it’s a short trip, you can be flexible with your departure. There are no specific stops recommended in the data, so plan for a quick fuel top-up before you leave Shady Side, MD, if your gauge is low, as the $14 fuel budget suggests efficient travel. Keep an eye on your GPS for any unexpected traffic alerts, particularly when merging onto or off of the Baltimore Beltway.
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 42.1 miles from Shady Side, MD, or about 1h 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 19 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.1 miles or 1h 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 34m
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 Shady Side, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shady Side, MD
This is one driving day of about 84.2 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Shady Side, 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
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.1 miles from Shady Side, 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 35.2 and 83 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
35.2 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
45.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
45.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
$13.96 one way
$27.92 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.29 | $30.58 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.84 | $4.04 |
| Efficient EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.37 | $3.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.79 | $5.39 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
4:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
3 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 49m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 81.3
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 84.2
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 84.2
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 84.2
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$20
near mile 69.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 64% of it on major highways like I-70 and I-97. You'll encounter the Baltimore Beltway as well. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 36.7 miles on I-70. While the majority of the drive is on faster-paced roads, expect the character to shift slightly as you transition between these main arteries. Overall, it’s a journey defined by efficient travel rather than winding backroads.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 35.2 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 84.2 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 35.2 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.3 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 Shady Side, MD and Frederick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Towson and Local Traffic.
Baltimore
17.2 mi in
|
~29m
Towson
35.2 mi in
|
~51m
|
via I 97
Local Traffic
45.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 84.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). 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 35.2 miles (I 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.3 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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