How far is Essex, MD from La Plata, MD?
The driving distance from Essex, MD to La Plata, MD is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m 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 43m.
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.
The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and La Plata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and La Plata.
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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
8.9 mi · 10 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
18.2 mi · 27 min
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20
Continue on Crain Highway
27.1 mi · 41 min · Crain Highway
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21
Turn left onto Charles Street
2232 ft · 1 min · Charles Street
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22
Turn left onto Kent Avenue
17 m · 4 sec · Kent Avenue
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23
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and La Plata.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Crain Highway
Continue on Crain Highway
27.1 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Sunny leaving Essex and Sunny near La Plata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to La Plata?
The road trip is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?
Bowie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.2 miles from Essex and 34.2 miles from La Plata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 3:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.85 one way or $19.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Essex and Sunny near La Plata.
Stop Ideas Near Bowie
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 Bowie.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
BWI Rail Station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and La Plata. Straight-line distance: 60.23 mi (96.93 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 La Plata
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 9,800 |
| Coordinates | 38.5292900, -76.9752500 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Plata (-76.97525, 38.52929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 110 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $9.85 | $19.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.08 | $22.17 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $11.94 | $23.88 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $14.41 | $28.82 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.