How far is Essex, MD from District Heights, MD?
The driving distance from Essex, MD to District Heights, MD is about 47 miles (75.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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 12m.
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.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and District Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and District Heights.
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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
3.5 mi · 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MD 295 South: Baltimore-Washington Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
24.2 mi · 33 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Andrews Air Force Base
1447 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
8.6 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
1696 ft · 41 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road
628 ft · 15 sec
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Ritchie Marlboro Road
6 m · 1 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
800 ft · 16 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
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16
Continue on Walker Mill Road
2233 ft · 42 sec · Walker Mill Road
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17
Turn sharp left onto Ritchie Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Ritchie Road
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18
Turn right onto Kipling Parkway
3251 ft · 2 min · Kipling Parkway
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19
Turn right onto Kipling Parkway
1399 ft · 42 sec · Kipling Parkway
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20
Turn right onto Mason Street
673 ft · 26 sec · Mason Street
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21
Turn left onto Gateway Boulevard
1092 ft · 30 sec · Gateway Boulevard
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gateway Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and District Heights.
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
24.2 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.
Rain Showers leaving Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms near District Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to District Heights?
The road trip is about 47 miles (75.7 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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 23.5 miles from Essex and 23.5 miles from District Heights.
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 8.7 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 4:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.78 one way or $13.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms near District Heights.
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 Essex and District Heights. Straight-line distance: 38.31 mi (61.66 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 District Heights
City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 5,979 |
| Coordinates | 38.8576100, -76.8894200 |
| Altitude | 81 |
| Country | United States |
End: District Heights (-76.88942, 38.85761)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.78 | $13.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.22 | $16.45 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.93 | $19.85 |
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.