How far is District Heights, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from District Heights, MD to Essex, MD is about 48.4 miles (77.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Howard County, Maryland, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between District Heights and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between District Heights and Essex.
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1
Start on Gateway Boulevard
1001 ft · 28 sec · Gateway Boulevard
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2
Turn right
52 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn straight onto Mason Street
637 ft · 26 sec · Mason Street
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4
Turn left onto Kipling Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Kipling Parkway
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ritchie Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Ritchie Road
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6
Turn right onto Ritchie Spur Road
1531 ft · 43 sec · Ritchie Spur Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Walker Mill Road
89 m · 7 sec · Walker Mill Road
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8
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
549 ft · 11 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
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9
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
97 m · 5 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ritchie Marlboro Road
41 m · 2 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
1594 ft · 27 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 95 North, I 495 North
87 m · 5 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout onto I 95 North, I 495 North
2187 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
8.3 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MD 295 North: BWI Marshall Airport, Baltimore North, Baltimore-Washington Parkway
1285 ft · 31 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on MD 295 North: Baltimore, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
1100 ft · 27 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
24.1 mi · 33 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: New York
1.1 km · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 2 min
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20
Keep slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
-
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
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23
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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24
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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25
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
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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 District Heights and Essex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
24.1 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving District Heights and Rain Showers near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from District Heights to Essex?
The road trip is about 48.4 miles (77.9 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Fort George G Mead Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.2 miles from District Heights and 25.2 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around District Heights and Rain Showers near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Fort George G Mead Junction
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fort George G Mead Junction.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Pennsylvania Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between District Heights and Essex. Straight-line distance: 38.31 mi (61.66 km).
#1 District Heights
City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 5,979 |
| Coordinates | 38.8576100, -76.8894200 |
| Altitude | 81 |
| 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: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.99 | $13.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.47 | $16.94 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.23 | $20.45 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.