How far is Annapolis, MD from Ellicott City, MD?

The driving distance from Annapolis, MD to Ellicott City, MD is about 34 miles (54.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
34 mi
00h 48m
Flight
25.84 mi
41.59 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Annapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.84 mi
Kilometers
41.59 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34 mi
Kilometers
54.72 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ellicott City
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM EDT
Return by in Annapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 2:19 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Annapolis
2026-04-23T00:42
Arrive Ellicott City
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Annapolis
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Somerset
MD

Town in Maryland, United States

From Annapolis
17 mi
00h 24m
To Ellicott City
17 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Annapolis and Ellicott City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Annapolis and Ellicott City.

  1. 1

    Start on School Street

    42 m · 6 sec · School Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Church Circle

    24 m · 2 sec · College Avenue

  3. 3

    Exit the rotary onto College Avenue

    105 m · 7 sec · College Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Bladen Street

    1489 ft · 41 sec · Bladen Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Roscoe Rowe Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    2017 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on John Hanson Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · John Hanson Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 97 North: Baltimore

    1.5 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 97 North: Baltimore

    1 km · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    6 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right onto Baltimore Beltway

    6.5 mi · 9 min · Baltimore Beltway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 144: Catonsville

    1337 ft · 39 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Frederick Road

    4.1 mi · 9 min · Frederick Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Main Street

    1018 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Old Columbia Pike

    34 m · 4 sec · Old Columbia Pike

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Old Columbia Pike

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Annapolis and Ellicott City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
52.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 97 North
17.9 mi · 53%
Baltimore Beltway
6.46 mi · 19%
Frederick Road
4.09 mi · 12%
John Hanson Highway
1.82 mi · 5%
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
1.76 mi · 5%
I 695 West
1.07 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 97 North

Keep slight left

10.4 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.2 mi
25.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Somerset
00h 24m from Annapolis
Leave By
4:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Annapolis and Sunny near Ellicott City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Annapolis to Ellicott City?

The road trip is about 34 miles (54.7 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Somerset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Annapolis and 17 miles from Ellicott City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.90 one way or $9.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Annapolis and Sunny near Ellicott City.

Stop Ideas Near Somerset

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Somerset and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.1 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 11.5 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 12.6 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerset.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

7 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

17 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

30 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
BUS

Kent Island, MD

39 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Annapolis and Ellicott City. Straight-line distance: 25.84 mi (41.59 km).

Annapolis

#1 Annapolis

City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city

Population39,524
Coordinates38.9785900, -76.4918400
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Ellicott City

#2 Ellicott City

Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States

Population65,834
Coordinates39.2673300, -76.7983100
Altitude55
CountryUnited States
Start: Annapolis (-76.49184, 38.97859)
End: Ellicott City (-76.79831, 39.26733)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 55 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.2 gal
4.54 L · about $4.90
Round trip
$9.81
2.4 gal · 9.08 L
Estimated CO2
10.7 kg one way
Round trip: 21.3 kg / 47 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.90 $9.81
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.52 $11.04
Premium $4.95 $5.94 $11.89
Diesel $5.98 $7.18 $14.35

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Maryland · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Annapolis and Ellicott City. The current time is 00:42:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.