South Bel Air, MD to Morningside, MD is 68.6 miles and takes about 1h 37m via Baltimore-Washington Parkway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maryland, traversing the busy Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface street driving as you make your way south. With only a 1h 37m estimated travel time, this is a straightforward drive, perfect for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.3 miles from South Bel Air, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
21.7 mi
29m
Capital Beltway
12.4 mi
16m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Express Toll Lanes
7.7 mi
9m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
7.3 mi
10m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi
2m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
— 21.7 mi, about 29m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,351 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,391
Quietest
2 AM
~640 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 105 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 Morningside, 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
1.3 mi·1 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 4Toward MD 295 South: Essex, BWI Marshall AirportUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto MD 295
22 mi·29 min·Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andrews Air Force BaseUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto I 95; I 495
12 mi·16 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, MorningsideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto MD 337
426 ft·12 sec·Forestville Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Turn slight right onto MD 337
0.6 mi·1 min·MD 337
Toward MD 337 South
24
Turn right onto Suitland Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Suitland Road
25
Turn sharp right onto Randolph Road
0.1 mi·32 sec·Randolph Road
26
Turn slight left
133 ft·6 sec
27
Turn left onto Maple Road
492 ft·22 sec·Maple Road
28
Turn right onto Larkspur Road
121 ft·5 sec·Larkspur Road
29
Arrive at destination
Larkspur Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1h 37m, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. Aiming to leave before peak rush hour in either the Baltimore or DC metro areas can help smooth out your drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it’s a budget-friendly trip. Consider that the Baltimore-Washington Parkway can have moderate traffic, so staying aware of local conditions is advisable. Since it's a single-day drive, you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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 34.3 miles from South Bel Air, MD, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 48m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morningside, 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 68.6 miles and 1h 37m.
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 Baltimore-Washington Parkway for about 21.7 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 66.7 — 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
31.9 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward MD 295 South: Essex, BWI Marshall Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward MD 295 South: Essex, BWI Marshall Airpor...
7
54 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andrews Air Force Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andre...
8
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
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 9
Toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.17 one way
$22.34 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.74
$12.79
$25.58
premium
$5.04
$13.62
$27.23
diesel
$6.36
$17.17
$34.34
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(7.3 mi)$0.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$1
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.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.20
$3.29
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.00
$2.74
EV Truck/SUV
27.4
0
$9.60
$4.39
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
South Bel Air, MD
Evening
in South Bel Air on Sunday
Local time
6:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Sunny
N 17 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:09AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Morningside, MD
Evening
in Morningside on Sunday
Local time
6:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
N 17 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:09AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
1 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 37m 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.
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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
$20
near mile 54.4
Park Closure: Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 32% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on major roads like the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Capital Beltway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 21.7 miles along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination, so be prepared for more frequent exits and intersections.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.7 mi on Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
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 68.6 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 14.6 miles (Express Toll Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 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 ft38 ft
Total Climb
352 ft
Total Descent
444 ft
Highest Point
359 ft
Elevation Range
321 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 Morningside, MD, road signs point toward Bwi Marshall Airport and Andrews Air Force Base.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 68.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). 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 21.7 miles on Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.51 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.
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 Morningside, 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 31.9 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. 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 Morningside, MD before heading back.
