How far is Frederick, MD from Towson, MD?
The driving distance from Frederick, MD to Towson, MD is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.2 miles (69.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 12m 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 06m.
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.
Town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States
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 Frederick and Towson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick and Towson.
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1
Start on East Patrick Street
37 m · 8 sec · East Patrick Street
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2
Turn right onto North Market Street
133 m · 19 sec · North Market Street
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3
Turn right onto East Church Street
924 ft · 27 sec · East Church Street
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4
Turn right onto North Carroll Street
1707 ft · 1 min · North Carroll Street
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5
Turn left onto East South Street
610 ft · 24 sec · East South Street
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6
Turn right onto East Street
1652 ft · 28 sec · East Street
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street
31 m · 2 sec · East Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto East Street
742 ft · 15 sec · East Street
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9
Continue on Buckeystown Pike
807 ft · 18 sec · Buckeystown Pike
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10
Take the ramp slight left toward I 70 East, US 40 East
1853 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21 mi · 23 min
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12
Continue straight
6.5 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore
9.1 mi · 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
1056 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 695 North: New York, Towson
1.2 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
12.5 mi · 17 min · Baltimore Beltway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward MD 45 South: York Road, Towson
1245 ft · 50 sec
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18
Turn left onto West Road
580 ft · 26 sec · West Road
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19
Turn right onto York Road
1.4 km · 2 min · York Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Towson Roundabout
29 m · 2 sec · York Road
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21
Exit the rotary onto York Road
559 ft · 17 sec · York Road
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22
Continue on York Road
138 m · 21 sec · York Road
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23
Turn right onto Shealy Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Shealy Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shealy Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frederick and Towson.
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 70 East
Merge slight left
21 mi · 00h 23m
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 Frederick and Sunny near Towson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frederick to Towson?
The road trip is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Sykesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from Frederick and 26.7 miles from Towson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.2 miles (69.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.68 one way or $15.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Frederick and Sunny near Towson.
Stop Ideas Near Sykesville
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 Sykesville.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
Frederick Airport, MD
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frederick and Towson. Straight-line distance: 43.18 mi (69.49 km).
#1 Frederick
The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.
| Population | 73,308 |
| Coordinates | 39.4142700, -77.4105400 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Towson
Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| Population | 55,197 |
| Coordinates | 39.4015000, -76.6019100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Towson (-76.60191, 39.4015)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.65 | $17.29 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.31 | $18.63 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.24 | $22.48 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.