How far is Essex, MD from Kensington, MD?
The driving distance from Essex, MD to Kensington, MD is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Kensington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Kensington.
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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
1.3 mi · 3 min · Eastern Avenue
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5
Turn slight right onto MD 151 North: North Point Boulevard, Baltimore
1721 ft · 49 sec
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6
Turn straight onto North Point Boulevard
2719 ft · 53 sec · North Point Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto Kane Street
965 ft · 35 sec · Kane Street
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8
Turn slight right
56 m · 8 sec
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9
Continue on East Lombard Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Lombard Street
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10
Turn left onto Ponca Street
604 ft · 28 sec · Ponca Street
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 895 Toll South
1378 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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13
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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14
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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15
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2567 ft · 40 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 97 South: Annapolis
1.1 mi · 1 min
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18
Continue straight
7.4 mi · 9 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Severna Park
2100 ft · 51 sec
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20
Continue on Benfield Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Benfield Boulevard
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21
Continue on Benfield Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Benfield Road
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22
Turn left onto Kensington Avenue East
105 m · 20 sec · Kensington Avenue East
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23
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
101 m · 17 sec · Brentwood Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Banyon Avenue
123 m · 18 sec · Banyon Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Banyon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Kensington.
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.
I 97 South
Continue straight
7.41 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kensington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Kensington?
The road trip is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Pumphrey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.3 miles from Essex and 12.3 miles from Kensington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 7:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.55 one way or $7.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kensington.
Stop Ideas Near Pumphrey
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 Pumphrey.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Kensington. Straight-line distance: 16.6 mi (26.72 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 Kensington
Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,448 |
| Coordinates | 39.0831700, -76.5799600 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kensington (-76.57996, 39.08317)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.31 | $8.62 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.20 | $10.41 |
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.