How far is Annapolis, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Annapolis, MD to Essex, MD is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Annapolis and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Annapolis and Essex.
-
1
Start on School Street
42 m · 6 sec · School Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Church Circle
24 m · 2 sec · College Avenue
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3
Exit the rotary onto College Avenue
105 m · 7 sec · College Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Bladen Street
1489 ft · 41 sec · Bladen Street
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5
Continue on Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp straight
2017 ft · 53 sec
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7
Continue on John Hanson Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · John Hanson Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 97 North: Baltimore
1.5 km · 1 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 97 North: Baltimore
1 km · 51 sec
-
10
Continue straight
6 mi · 7 min
-
11
Keep slight left
11.9 mi · 14 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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13
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
-
14
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
-
15
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Boston Street
1341 ft · 33 sec
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17
Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff
159 m · 15 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff
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18
Turn left onto Interstate Avenue
555 ft · 31 sec · Interstate Avenue
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19
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: New York
1447 ft · 35 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
1 km · 51 sec
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21
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
-
23
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
-
24
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
-
25
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
-
26
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Annapolis and Essex.
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.
I 97 North
Keep slight left
11.9 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Annapolis and Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Annapolis to Essex?
The road trip is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Somerset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Annapolis and 16.7 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Annapolis and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Somerset
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerset.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Annapolis and Essex. Straight-line distance: 22.87 mi (36.8 km).
#1 Annapolis
City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city
| Population | 39,524 |
| Coordinates | 38.9785900, -76.4918400 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Essex
This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.
| Population | 1,832,752 |
| Coordinates | 39.3092700, -76.4749600 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.94 | $9.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.56 | $11.13 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.24 | $14.47 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.