How far is Fort Washington, MD from Essex, MD?

The driving distance from Fort Washington, MD to Essex, MD is about 62.3 miles (100.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51 miles (82 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
62.31 mi
01h 15m
Flight
50.95 mi
81.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Washington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.95 mi
Kilometers
81.99 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
62.31 mi
Kilometers
100.28 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Essex
Thu, Oct 15, 2:19 PM EDT
Return by in Fort Washington
Thu, Oct 15, 3:34 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Washington
2026-10-15T13:04
Arrive Essex
Thu, Oct 15, 2:19 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Washington
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
South Laurel
MD

Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From Fort Washington
29.3 mi
00h 37m
To Essex
33 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NE
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Washington and Essex.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington and Essex.

  1. 1

    Start on Warburton Drive

    1619 ft · 1 min · Warburton Drive

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Fort Washington Road

    1544 ft · 54 sec · Fort Washington Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Old Fort Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Fort Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Indian Head Highway

    7.6 mi · 12 min · Indian Head Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on South Capitol Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS

    639 ft · 18 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North

    870 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore

    2038 ft · 25 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

    29.8 mi · 41 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: New York

    1.1 km · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    4.3 mi · 6 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue

    1335 ft · 30 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex

    78 m · 8 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Eastern Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Eastern Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right

    159 m · 38 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Washington and Essex.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
29.8 mi · 48%
Indian Head Highway
7.57 mi · 12%
I 95 North
6.31 mi · 10%
Anacostia Freeway
4.9 mi · 8%
Eastern Avenue
2.35 mi · 4%
Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.3 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Baltimore-Washington Parkway

Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

29.8 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.3 mi
51 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Laurel
00h 37m from Fort Washington
Leave By
4:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Fort Washington and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Washington to Essex?

The road trip is about 62.3 miles (100.3 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

South Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.3 miles from Fort Washington and 33 miles from Essex.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 51 miles (82 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 4:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.33 one way or $18.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Fort Washington and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.

Stop Ideas Near South Laurel

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around South Laurel and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 14.4 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 13.3 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
The John Wilson Building
Meeting point 14.9 mi away

The John Wilson Building

Washington , DC
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rating 4.6/5 21 reviews City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 6.5 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Laurel.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

13 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

19 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Washington Union Station

23 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Rockville station

26 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Washington and Essex. Straight-line distance: 50.95 mi (81.99 km).

Fort Washington

#1 Fort Washington

Unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population24,183
Coordinates38.7073400, -77.0230300
Altitude32
CountryUnited States
Essex

#2 Essex

This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.

Population1,832,752
Coordinates39.3092700, -76.4749600
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Warburton Drive (-77.022819, 38.707437)
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 100 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.2 gal
8.32 L · about $9.33
Round trip
$18.66
4.4 gal · 16.64 L
Estimated CO2
19.6 kg one way
Round trip: 39.1 kg / 86 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.24 $9.33 $18.66
Mid-grade $4.84 $10.65 $21.30
Premium $5.15 $11.32 $22.64
Diesel $6.36 $14.00 $27.99

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Washington and Essex. The current time is 13:04:25.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.