South Bel Air, MD to Damascus, MD is 68.5 miles and takes about 1h 31m via I 70, I 95, and John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward trip that mixes highway speeds with some surface road cruising. Given its relatively short duration, it's an easy same-day excursion, perfect for a quick relocation or a visit to a nearby area without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.2 miles from South Bel Air, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
22.9 mi
24m
I 95
10.9 mi
14m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Express Toll Lanes
7.6 mi
9m
Ridge Road
4.9 mi
8m
Baltimore Beltway
4.6 mi
6m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Woodfield Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 22.9 mi, about 24m
Traffic on I-695
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,922 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,433
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Damascus, 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 right at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi·1 min·Express Toll Lanes
11
Merge onto I 95
3.9 mi·5 min·I 95
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
7.0 mi·9 min·I 95
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 49BToward I 695 West: TowsonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 695
4.6 mi·6 min·Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 16A-BToward I 70: Frederick, Local TrafficUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 16AToward I 70 West: FrederickUse 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
8.8 mi·9 min·I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 68Toward MD 27: Damascus, Mount AiryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto MD 27
4.9 mi·8 min·Ridge Road
21
Turn left onto Woodfield Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Woodfield Road
22
Turn right onto MD 108
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
23
Turn right
35 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 1h 31m drive, leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid the worst of any local traffic. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need many stops, but there are opportunities to refuel along the way if your tank is low, with an estimated fuel cost of $11. The longest continuous stretch without a major turn is 22.9 miles on I 70, so plan your comfort breaks around that. Given the manageable distance, you have the flexibility to depart on your schedule and take it easy.
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 34.2 miles from South Bel Air, MD, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.9 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.2 miles or 47m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Damascus, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Bel Air, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Bel Air, MD
This is one driving day of about 68.5 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from South Bel Air, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 22.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 62.2 — 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
7
33.1 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward I 695 West: Towson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward I 695 West: Towson
8
38.3 mi into trip|~53m 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
38.5 mi into trip|~53m 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
62.2 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward MD 27: Damascus, Mount Airy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 68
Toward MD 27: Damascus, Mount Airy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.11 one way
$24.23 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$13.27
$26.54
premium
$5.24
$14.14
$28.28
diesel
$5.35
$14.43
$28.86
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: 24 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.19
$3.29
Efficient EV
17.1
0
$5.99
$2.74
EV Truck/SUV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
South Bel Air, MD
Afternoon
in South Bel Air on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Damascus, MD
Afternoon
in Damascus on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
62°F
Lansdowne, MD
34 mi in
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
23 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 31m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 66.1
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$20
near mile 68.5
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!
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 68.5
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$20
near mile 68.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 68.5-mile trip involves about 49% highway driving. You'll encounter a 22.9-mile stretch on I 70, offering a consistent cruising experience. As you transition away from the main highways, expect a mixed profile with surface roads. The frequent exits on the initial highway portions mean you'll need to stay alert for merges and departures, while the later surface road sections will likely feel more local.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.9 mi on I 70.
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 68.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 33.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
866 ft30 ft
Total Climb
855 ft
Total Descent
383 ft
Highest Point
866 ft
~63.6 mi in
Elevation Range
837 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Bel Air, MD and Damascus, MD, road signs point toward Local Traffic and Mount Airy.
Rural Montgomery County, Maryland, is a fairly oddball choice for a trip, as people generally don't think to visit the countryside so close to the metropolis just southeast. It gets a fair amount of visitor traffic nonetheless, simply because it is so easy for residents of the close-in Montgomery County D.C. suburbs to get to. In particular, Sugarloaf Mountain is a very popular destination. But if you look a bit further and feel like wandering along quiet country roads, there are other gems to explore, be they farms where you can go picking, petting zoos, wineries, or even Maryland fried chicken.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 68.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). 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 22.9 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Damascus, 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 33.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.3 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 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 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 Damascus, MD before heading back.
