Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from South Bel Air, MD to Saint Charles, 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 53m

Distance

80.8 mi

130 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown South Bel Air, MD, MD

South Bel Air, MD

Da Khatri

Downtown Saint Charles, MD, MD

Saint Charles, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

This 80.9-mile drive from South Bel Air, MD, to Saint Charles, MD, is estimated to take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. With a fuel cost around $13, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, making it a more engaging journey than a highway cruise. As both locations are within Maryland's Northeast region, you'll be experiencing a consistent local landscape. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, this drive is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40.4 miles from South Bel Air, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Crain Highway 20.8 mi 30m
MD 3 18.2 mi 26m
I 97 8.9 mi 10m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway 8.1 mi 9m
Express Toll Lanes 7.7 mi 9m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway 6 mi 8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 3.9 mi 5m
Harbor Tunnel Throughway 2.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Crain Highway — 20.8 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air, MD and Saint Charles, 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: Baltimore Use 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 right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

1.7 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Exit 6 Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork

1.1 mi · 1 min
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 97

8.9 mi · 10 min · I 97
Use the straight lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3

18 mi · 26 min · MD 3
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton Use the left lane.
19

Continue on US 301

21 mi · 30 min · Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
20

Arrive at destination

US 301

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 45-minute trip, consider departing mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic in the Northeast Maryland region. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is under 100 miles, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $13, and refueling options might be less frequent on local roads compared to highways. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to posted speed limits, as they can change frequently on local roads.

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 40.4 miles from South Bel Air, MD, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 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 18 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 40.4 miles or 54m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Charles, 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 80.8 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 Crain Highway for about 20.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Crofton, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Crofton, MD

40 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

Essex, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kensington, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.4 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Conrad's Seafood Restaurant - Abingdon

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Abingdon, Maryland

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 5.8

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14434020482

Visit website

G & A RESTAURANT INC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

White Marsh, Maryland

1.2 mi

Seoul Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Edgewood, Maryland

1.8 mi

Conrad's Seafood Restaurant - Abingdon

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 5.8

Abingdon, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14434020482

Visit website

G & A RESTAURANT INC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.5

White Marsh, Maryland

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14434483218

Visit website

Seoul Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.8

Edgewood, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–5:30 pm

+14106719399

Visit website

Helmand Kabobi | Afghan Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.1

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14103272230

Visit website

Kodori Restaurant Japanese & Korean

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 75

Waldorf, Maryland

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+13013749955

Visit website

Blackwall Hitch

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14437597176

Visit website

Royal Spice Nepalese & Indian Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.8

Linthicum Heights, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+14105895166

Visit website

G & M Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 28.8

Linthicum Heights, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14106361777

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 46.2

Gambrills, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 17.3

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 17.3

Nottingham, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 17.3

Nottingham, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 23.1

Rosedale, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 17.3

Nottingham, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14102460669

Visit website

Creative Alliance

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 23.1

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 12–5 pm

+14102761651

Visit website

Patterson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 23.1

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14102763676

Baltimore Museum of Industry

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14107274808

Visit website

Riverside Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+14103967931

American Visionary Art Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 28.8

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14102441900

Visit website

Urban Pirates

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.1

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14103278378

Visit website

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.1

Baltimore, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14105633404

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 41.7 — 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.
9
30.1 mi into trip | ~42m in | Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6 Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
7
31.8 mi into trip | ~44m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 97 South: Annapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 97 South: Annapolis
8
41.7 mi into trip | ~56m in | MD 3

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3 toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.40 one way

$26.79 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $14.67 $29.34
premium $4.93 $15.67 $31.34
diesel $5.61 $17.84 $35.68

Estimated Tolls: $0.42

Harbor Tunnel Thruway (6 mi) $0.42

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

$13

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.2 0 $8.48 $3.88
Efficient EV 20.2 0 $7.07 $3.23
EV Truck/SUV 32.3 0 $11.31 $5.17

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

South Bel Air, MD

Late night in South Bel Air on Sunday

Local time

12:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Charles, MD

Late night in Saint Charles on Sunday

Local time

12:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Crofton, MD

40 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

3 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 53m 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.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour $20 near mile 50.1
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for this 80.9-mile journey, with no highway miles contributing to the total. You'll be navigating through East MacPhail Road and South Main Street, among others. The absence of highway driving means you'll likely experience more frequent turns and varying speed limits as you traverse local terrain. While there isn't a "longest stretch" noted for uninterrupted driving, this road profile suggests a journey where you'll be actively steering and adjusting your pace frequently, offering a hands-on driving experience.

34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.8 mi on Crain Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.8 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 30.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Saint Charles, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Crofton.

Annapolis

30.1 mi in | ~42m | via Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Glen Burnie

30.1 mi in | ~42m | via Harbor Tunnel Throughway

Crofton

41.7 mi in | ~56m | via MD 3

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). 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 20.8 miles on Crain Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.42 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 Saint Charles, 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 30.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Saint Charles, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Saint Charles, MD

Silver Spring, MD 42.6 mi · 1h 1m

More from South Bel Air, MD

Berlin, MD 144.9 mi · 3h 13m Boonsboro, MD 92.7 mi · 1h 59m Bartonsville, MD 74.4 mi · 1h 34m Gaithersburg, MD 69.5 mi · 1h 31m Bethesda, MD 65.6 mi · 1h 30m Chevy Chase, MD 64 mi · 1h 27m

More trips to Saint Charles, MD

Reisterstown, MD 72 mi Aspen Hill, MD 45 mi Chillum, MD 29.5 mi
Escape planner: South Bel Air, MD Scenic drives in MD

Explore more options from South Bel Air, MD or browse trips ending in Saint Charles, MD.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.