This 55.6-mile drive from South Bel Air to Beltsville, Maryland, is estimated to take about 1 hour and 13 minutes. With no highway driving, it's a straightforward local journey that's perfect for a single day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $9. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically within Maryland. It's a manageable distance that doesn't require an overnight stay, offering a convenient way to travel between these two communities. You'll primarily be navigating local roads, so expect a steady pace without the high speeds of interstate travel.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
16.6 mi
19m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
12 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Express Toll Lanes
7.7 mi
9m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Powder Mill Road
2.1 mi
3m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi
2m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 16.6 mi, about 19m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,324 veh/hr typical
· worst 8,056
Quietest
2 AM
~710 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air, MD and Beltsville, MD.
1
Start on South Shamrock Road
0.3 mi·1 min·South Shamrock Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·East MacPhail Road
3
Turn left onto MD 924
496 ft·14 sec·South Main Street
4
Continue on MD 924
0.6 mi·1 min·Emmorton Road
5
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Ring Factory Road
6
Turn left onto MD 24
3.9 mi·5 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95
8.1 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi·7 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi·1 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 895
3.8 mi·5 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
12
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi·2 min·Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
13
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi·3 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 895
0.5 mi·39 sec·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
0.5 mi·41 sec·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 895
6.0 mi·7 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
17 mi·19 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 29AToward MD 212 East: BeltsvilleUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto MD 212
0.5 mi·44 sec·Powder Mill Road
20
Continue on MD 212A
1.6 mi·2 min·Powder Mill Road
21
Arrive at destination
MD 212A
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from South Bel Air, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 53.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Baltimore
6
14.6 mi into trip|~21m in|Express Toll Lanes
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
21 mi into trip|~29m in|Express Toll Lanes
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
30.1 mi into trip|~42m in|I 895 / Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895 / Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward MD 212 East: Beltsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29A
Toward MD 212 East: Beltsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.83 one way
$19.67 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$10.77
$21.54
premium
$5.24
$11.48
$22.96
diesel
$5.35
$11.71
$23.42
Estimated Tolls: $0.84
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(12 mi)$0.84
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 63% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
16.7
0
$5.84
$2.67
Efficient EV
13.9
0
$4.87
$2.22
EV Truck/SUV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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 May 22, 2026
Origin
South Bel Air, MD
Evening
in South Bel Air on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NE 8 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 21 at 8:55PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 21 at 8:08PM EDT until May 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Beltsville, MD
Evening
in Beltsville on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 8 mph72% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 21 at 8:55PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 21 at 8:08PM EDT until May 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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 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 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a turn-heavy local experience, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local streets and roads, rather than high-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction. You'll likely experience a more intimate connection with the local landscape as you make your way through towns and neighborhoods. Expect a driving rhythm dictated by traffic signals and local road conditions.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 55.6 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 (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.6 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.84 in tolls one way, starting with Harbor Tunnel Thruway. 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.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Beltsville, 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 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 Beltsville, MD before heading back.
