How far is Glenarden, MD from Essex, MD?

The driving distance from Glenarden, MD to Essex, MD is about 51.3 miles (82.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m 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
51.26 mi
00h 54m
Flight
33.45 mi
53.83 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Glenarden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.45 mi
Kilometers
53.83 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.26 mi
Kilometers
82.49 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Essex
Sun, Apr 19, 8:28 AM EDT
Return by in Glenarden
Sun, Apr 19, 9:23 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Glenarden
2026-04-19T07:34
Arrive Essex
Sun, Apr 19, 8:28 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:40 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Glenarden
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
Kensington
MD

Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From Glenarden
20.4 mi
00h 27m
To Essex
30.8 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W
Destination
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glenarden and Essex.

  1. 1

    Start on McLain Avenue

    611 ft · 25 sec · McLain Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Brightseat Road

    2918 ft · 1 min · Brightseat Road

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left onto Ardwick Ardmore Road

    846 ft · 27 sec · Ardwick Ardmore Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr. Highway

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    3053 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    6.1 mi · 7 min · John Hanson Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 301, MD 3: Richmond, Crofton

    1099 ft · 27 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 3 North: Crofton

    2140 ft · 52 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 3 North: Crofton

    1 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto North East Crain Highway

    2 mi · 3 min · North East Crain Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Robert Crain Highway

    7.1 mi · 11 min · Robert Crain Highway

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

    2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

  14. 14

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  15. 15

    Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

  16. 16

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Boston Street

    1341 ft · 33 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff

    159 m · 15 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Interstate Avenue

    555 ft · 31 sec · Interstate Avenue

  20. 20

    Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: New York

    1447 ft · 35 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    1 km · 51 sec

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue

    1335 ft · 30 sec

  23. 23

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

    78 m · 8 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Eastern Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on Eastern Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

  26. 26

    Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right

    159 m · 38 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Glenarden 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
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
5 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
54.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Robert Crain Highway
17.6 mi · 34%
John Hanson Highway
6.1 mi · 12%
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.37 mi · 7%
Eastern Avenue
2.35 mi · 5%
Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2.02 mi · 4%
North East Crain Highway
1.97 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Robert Crain Highway

Merge slight left

10.4 mi · 00h 12m

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
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.9 mi
33.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kensington
00h 27m from Glenarden
Leave By
4:40 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Glenarden and Rain Showers near Essex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Glenarden to Essex?

The road trip is about 51.3 miles (82.5 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

Kensington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.4 miles from Glenarden and 30.8 miles from Essex.

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

The direct path is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.40 one way or $14.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Glenarden and Rain Showers near Essex.

Stop Ideas Near Kensington

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 Kensington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 10.2 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 13.5 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 11.2 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kensington.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

15 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

25 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

29 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
BUS

Kent Island, MD

32 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Glenarden and Essex. Straight-line distance: 33.45 mi (53.83 km).

Glenarden

#1 Glenarden

City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population6,151
Coordinates38.9292800, -76.8616400
Altitude31
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: McLain Avenue (-76.861537, 38.929029)
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.81 gal
6.85 L · about $7.40
Round trip
$14.79
3.62 gal · 13.7 L
Estimated CO2
16.1 kg one way
Round trip: 32.2 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.40 $14.79
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.32 $16.65
Premium $4.95 $8.97 $17.93
Diesel $5.98 $10.82 $21.65

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

There is no time difference between Glenarden and Essex. The current time is 07:34:05.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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