How far is Ellicott City, MD from Towson, MD?
The driving distance from Ellicott City, MD to Towson, MD is about 20.3 miles (32.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14 miles (22.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m 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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Location in Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ellicott City and Towson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellicott City and Towson.
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1
Start on Old Columbia Pike
34 m · 6 sec · Old Columbia Pike
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
1018 ft · 37 sec · Main Street
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3
Continue on Frederick Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Frederick Road
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4
Turn left onto North Rolling Road
1 mi · 3 min · North Rolling Road
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5
Turn right onto Baltimore National Pike
1.5 km · 2 min · Baltimore National Pike
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 695 North: Towson
1644 ft · 42 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
14.1 mi · 19 min · Baltimore Beltway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MD 45 South: York Road, Towson
1245 ft · 50 sec
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9
Turn left onto West Road
580 ft · 26 sec · West Road
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10
Turn right onto York Road
1.4 km · 2 min · York Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Towson Roundabout
29 m · 2 sec · York Road
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12
Exit the rotary onto York Road
152 m · 16 sec · York Road
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13
Continue on York Road
156 m · 22 sec · York Road
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14
Turn right onto Shealy Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Shealy Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shealy Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ellicott City and Towson.
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.
Baltimore Beltway
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
14.1 mi · 00h 19m
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 Ellicott City and Sunny near Towson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ellicott City to Towson?
The road trip is about 20.3 miles (32.7 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Pikesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.1 miles from Ellicott City and 10.2 miles from Towson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14 miles (22.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 7:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.07 one way or $6.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ellicott City and Sunny near Towson.
Stop Ideas Near Pikesville
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 Pikesville.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ellicott City and Towson. Straight-line distance: 14.01 mi (22.54 km).
#1 Ellicott City
Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 65,834 |
| Coordinates | 39.2673300, -76.7983100 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Towson
Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| Population | 55,197 |
| Coordinates | 39.4015000, -76.6019100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Towson (-76.60191, 39.4015)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.26 | $3.07 | $6.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.86 | $3.50 | $7.00 |
| Premium | $5.16 | $3.72 | $7.43 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $4.58 | $9.17 |
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 · Oct 13, 2026