How far is Essex, MD from Bowie, MD?

The driving distance from Essex, MD to Bowie, MD is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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
38.85 mi
00h 47m
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 Essex.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
38.85 mi
Kilometers
62.52 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bowie
Sun, Apr 19, 5:08 AM EDT
Return by in Essex
Sun, Apr 19, 5:55 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Essex
2026-04-19T04:20
Arrive Bowie
Sun, Apr 19, 5:08 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
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 Essex
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 Essex
17.2 mi
00h 23m
To Bowie
21.6 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    109 m · 32 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    56 m · 16 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Eastern Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

  4. 4

    Continue on Eastern Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Eastern Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto MD 151 North: North Point Boulevard, Baltimore

    1721 ft · 49 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto North Point Boulevard

    2719 ft · 53 sec · North Point Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Kane Street

    965 ft · 35 sec · Kane Street

  8. 8

    Turn slight right

    56 m · 8 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on East Lombard Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East Lombard Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Ponca Street

    604 ft · 28 sec · Ponca Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left toward I 895 Toll South

    1378 ft · 36 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  13. 13

    Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

  14. 14

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  15. 15

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway

    2567 ft · 40 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 97 South: Annapolis

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    8.9 mi · 10 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton

    10.8 mi · 16 min

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Collington Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Collington Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway

    1025 ft · 40 sec · Evergreen Parkway

  22. 22

    Turn right

    79 m · 20 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
61.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MD 32 West
10.8 mi · 28%
I 97 South
9.93 mi · 26%
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
4 mi · 10%
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.16 mi · 6%
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.39 mi · 4%
East Lombard Street
1.34 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

MD 32 West

Keep slight right to continue on MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton

10.8 mi · 00h 16m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10 mi
28.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Somerset
00h 23m from Essex
Leave By
4:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Essex and Rain Showers Likely near Bowie.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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 17.2 miles from Essex and 21.6 miles from Bowie.

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 10 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 $5.60 one way or $11.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Essex and Rain Showers Likely near Bowie.

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 12.2 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 9.9 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 14.1 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 Essex and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 28.78 mi (46.32 km).

Essex

#1 Essex

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

Population1,832,752
Coordinates39.3092700, -76.4749600
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Bowie

#2 Bowie

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

Population58,212
Coordinates38.9427800, -76.7302800
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
Start: (-76.474993, 39.309318)
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 63 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.37 gal
5.19 L · about $5.60
Round trip
$11.20
2.74 gal · 10.38 L
Estimated CO2
12.2 kg one way
Round trip: 24.4 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.60 $11.20
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.30 $12.60
Premium $4.95 $6.79 $13.57
Diesel $5.98 $8.19 $16.39

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

There is no time difference between Essex and Bowie. The current time is 04:20:11.

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.