How far is Essex, MD from Greenbelt, MD?
The driving distance from Essex, MD to Greenbelt, MD is about 35 miles (56.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m 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 43m.
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.
City in Howard County, Maryland, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and Greenbelt.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Greenbelt.
-
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
23.6 mi · 32 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 193: Greenbelt, NASA Goddard, U.S. Park Police
1092 ft · 27 sec
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11
Turn right onto Southway
1746 ft · 53 sec · Southway
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12
Turn right onto Crescent Road
2062 ft · 58 sec · Crescent Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Crescent Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Greenbelt.
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
23.6 mi · 00h 32m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Essex and Mostly Sunny near Greenbelt.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Greenbelt?
The road trip is about 35 miles (56.4 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?
West Elkridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Essex and 17.6 miles from Greenbelt.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.07 one way or $10.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Essex and Mostly Sunny near Greenbelt.
Stop Ideas Near West Elkridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Relay Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Elkridge.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Greenbelt. Straight-line distance: 30.06 mi (48.38 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 Greenbelt
City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 23,229 |
| Coordinates | 39.0045500, -76.8755300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Crescent Road (-76.875555, 39.004523)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.07 | $10.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.70 | $11.41 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.14 | $12.29 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.42 | $14.83 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.