How far is Essex, MD from Charlestown, MD?
The driving distance from Essex, MD to Charlestown, MD is about 162.9 miles (262.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Oregon, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and Charlestown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Charlestown.
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1
Start on the route
109 m · 32 sec
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2
Turn left
56 m · 16 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Eastern Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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4
Continue on Eastern Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
1750 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight right
7 mi · 9 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 695 West: Towson
3248 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Baltimore Beltway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Frederick, Local Traffic
951 ft · 23 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Frederick
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
14.1 mi · 15 min
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13
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 13 min
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14
Continue straight
64.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 40, I 68: Cumberland
45.4 mi · 52 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MD 36: Westernport, Frostburg
1983 ft · 49 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on MD 36 South: Westernport
84 m · 7 sec
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18
Turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
3.6 mi · 6 min · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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19
Turn slight left onto Paradise Street Southwest
1 km · 2 min · Paradise Street Southwest
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
1579 ft · 38 sec · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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21
Continue on Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
1.7 mi · 4 min · Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
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22
Continue on East Main Street
3260 ft · 2 min · East Main Street
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23
Turn left onto Union Street
112 m · 16 sec · Union Street
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24
Continue on Jackson Street
597 ft · 26 sec · Jackson Street
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25
Continue on Jackson Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Jackson Street
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26
Continue on Jackson Run Road Southwest
1007 ft · 47 sec · Jackson Run Road Southwest
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27
Turn left onto Charlestown Road
52 m · 8 sec · Charlestown Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Charlestown Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Charlestown.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Continue straight
64.3 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers leaving Essex and Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Charlestown?
The road trip is about 162.9 miles (262.1 km) and usually takes 03h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Halfway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Essex and 81.5 miles from Charlestown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.49 one way or $46.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Essex and Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Stop Ideas Near Halfway
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 Halfway.
Hagerstown, MD
Martinsburg station
Harpers Ferry
Hancock, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 134.48 mi (216.43 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Charlestown
Town in Cecil County, Maryland
| Population | 1,202 |
| Coordinates | 39.5562000, -78.9747500 |
| Altitude | 513 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charlestown (-78.97475, 39.5562)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.49 | $46.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.44 | $52.89 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $28.49 | $56.97 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $34.39 | $68.77 |
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.