How far is Bowie, MD from Essex, MD?

The driving distance from Bowie, MD to Essex, MD is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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
38.15 mi
00h 46m
Flight
28.78 mi
46.32 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bowie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.78 mi
Kilometers
46.32 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.15 mi
Kilometers
61.4 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Essex
Wed, Jun 3, 1:40 PM EDT
Return by in Bowie
Wed, Jun 3, 2:27 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bowie
2026-06-03T12:54
Arrive Essex
Wed, Jun 3, 1:40 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bowie
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 Bowie
16.9 mi
00h 23m
To Essex
21.3 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph N
Destination
84°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bowie and Essex.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bowie and Essex.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    33 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    79 m · 21 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway

    968 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Collington Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Collington Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North East Crain Highway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · North East Crain Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Robert Crain Highway

    7.1 mi · 11 min · Robert Crain Highway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

    2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

  9. 9

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  10. 10

    Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

  11. 11

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Boston Street

    1341 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff

    159 m · 15 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Interstate Avenue

    555 ft · 31 sec · Interstate Avenue

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: New York

    1447 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    1 km · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue

    1335 ft · 30 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex

    78 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Eastern Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Eastern Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right

    159 m · 38 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowie and Essex.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
60.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Robert Crain Highway
17.6 mi · 46%
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.37 mi · 9%
North East Crain Highway
3.32 mi · 9%
Eastern Avenue
2.35 mi · 6%
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.02 mi · 5%
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Robert Crain Highway

Merge 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 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
28.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Somerset
00h 23m from Bowie
Leave By
4:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bowie and Sunny near Essex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bowie to Essex?

The road trip is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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 16.9 miles from Bowie and 21.3 miles from Essex.

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

The direct path is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.52 one way or $11.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bowie and Sunny near Essex.

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 12 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 10.2 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 13.8 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 Bowie and Essex. Straight-line distance: 28.78 mi (46.32 km).

Bowie

#1 Bowie

The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Population58,212
Coordinates38.9427800, -76.7302800
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
Essex

#2 Essex

This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.

Population1,832,752
Coordinates39.3092700, -76.4749600
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: (-76.730357, 38.94261)
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.35 gal
5.1 L · about $5.52
Round trip
$11.03
2.7 gal · 10.2 L
Estimated CO2
12 kg one way
Round trip: 24 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.52 $11.03
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.21 $12.42
Premium $4.95 $6.69 $13.38
Diesel $5.98 $8.07 $16.15

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

There is no time difference between Bowie and Essex. The current time is 12:54:30.

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.