South Bel Air to Four Corners is 58.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 18 minutes via I 95, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. You'll encounter a mixed drive profile, meaning it's not all highway but also not entirely winding backroads. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, this is a straightforward journey for anyone looking to cover a moderate distance efficiently.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
17.7 mi
20m
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
Capital Beltway
2.3 mi
2m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi
2m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 17.7 mi, about 20m
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
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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 Four Corners, 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
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College ParkUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
20
Merge onto I 495
2.3 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 29Toward MD 193: Wheaton, Langley ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
267 ft·9 sec
Toward MD 193 West: University Boulevard, WheatonUse the right lane.
23
Turn right onto MD 193
0.5 mi·1 min·University Boulevard East
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
MD 193
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 29.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 58.3 — 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.
8
54.3 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
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 27
Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, Col...
8
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward MD 193: Wheaton, Langley Park
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 29
Toward MD 193: Wheaton, Langley Park
9
58.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 193 West: University Boulevard, Wheaton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 193 West: University Boulevard, Wheat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.39 one way
$18.78 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$10.39
$20.79
premium
$4.81
$11.15
$22.30
diesel
$4.80
$11.12
$22.24
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
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.7
0
$6.18
$2.83
Efficient EV
14.7
0
$5.15
$2.36
EV Truck/SUV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 Jul 9, 2026
Origin
South Bel Air, MD
Late night
in South Bel Air on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 9 at 4:10AM EDT until July 9 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Four Corners, MD
Late night
in Four Corners on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 mph88% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 9 at 4:10AM EDT until July 9 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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 18m 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?
This route features a 30% highway share, so expect a blend of faster travel and more localized roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll drive without a significant change in road type is 17.7 miles on I 95. The drive offers a mixed profile, transitioning between efficient interstate travel and potentially more varied road conditions. You'll experience the practical feel of American infrastructure, with segments designed for speed and others that offer a more grounded connection to the landscape.
30% 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: 17.7 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 58.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 54.3 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
359 ft22 ft
Total Climb
532 ft
Total Descent
551 ft
Highest Point
359 ft
Elevation Range
336 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 Four Corners, MD, road signs point toward Bethesda and College Park.
For the Four Corners in Canada, see Four Corners (Canada). For the greater "Four Corners Region", see Navajo Nation.
Four Corners Monument and Tribal Park is the quadripoint for the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The monument is managed by the Navajo Nation and is a waypoint along the Trails of the Ancients National Scenic Byway.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 58.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m 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 17.7 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 Four Corners, 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 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. 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 Four Corners, MD before heading back.
