How far is Indian Head, MD from Annapolis, MD?

The driving distance from Indian Head, MD to Annapolis, MD is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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
56.13 mi
01h 03m
Flight
44.58 mi
71.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Indian Head.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
44.58 mi
Kilometers
71.74 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.13 mi
Kilometers
90.33 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Annapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 1:22 AM EDT
Return by in Indian Head
Thu, Apr 23, 2:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Indian Head
2026-04-23T00:19
Arrive Annapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 1:22 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Indian Head
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
Forestville
MD

Place in Maryland, USA

From Indian Head
27.4 mi
00h 31m
To Annapolis
28.7 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Indian Head and Annapolis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Indian Head and Annapolis.

  1. 1

    Start on Indian Head Highway

    16.9 mi · 25 min · Indian Head Highway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Palmer Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Tucker Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Tucker Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Allentown Road

    5.6 mi · 10 min · Allentown Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park

    1130 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    8.4 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    2938 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    18.6 mi · 22 min · John Hanson Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital

    1291 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South

    1323 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Roscoe Rowe Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Roscoe Rowe Boulevard

    667 ft · 13 sec · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Northwest Street

    792 ft · 23 sec · Northwest Street

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Church Circle

    544 ft · 17 sec · School Street

  15. 15

    Exit the rotary onto School Street

    42 m · 6 sec · School Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · School Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Indian Head and Annapolis.

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John Hanson Highway
18.6 mi · 33%
Indian Head Highway
16.9 mi · 30%
Capital Beltway
8.39 mi · 15%
Allentown Road
5.57 mi · 10%
Palmer Road
1.36 mi · 2%
Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
1.28 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

John Hanson Highway

Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

18.6 mi · 00h 22m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
44.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forestville
00h 31m from Indian Head
Leave By
4:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Indian Head and Sunny near Annapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Indian Head to Annapolis?

The road trip is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Forestville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.4 miles from Indian Head and 28.7 miles from Annapolis.

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

The direct path is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 4:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.09 one way or $16.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Indian Head and Sunny near Annapolis.

Stop Ideas Near Forestville

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 Forestville and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 8.6 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 9 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
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 6.5 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 10.3 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 Forestville.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

12 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

13 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

17 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

34 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Indian Head and Annapolis. Straight-line distance: 44.58 mi (71.74 km).

Indian Head

#1 Indian Head

Town in Charles County, Maryland, United States

Population3,787
Coordinates38.6001200, -77.1622000
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Annapolis

#2 Annapolis

City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city

Population39,524
Coordinates38.9785900, -76.4918400
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Indian Head Highway (-77.162193, 38.60009)
End: School Street (-76.491792, 38.978586)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.98 gal
7.5 L · about $8.09
Round trip
$16.18
3.96 gal · 15 L
Estimated CO2
17.6 kg one way
Round trip: 35.2 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $8.09 $16.18
Mid-grade $4.60 $9.11 $18.21
Premium $4.95 $9.81 $19.62
Diesel $5.98 $11.84 $23.68

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

There is no time difference between Indian Head and Annapolis. The current time is 00:19:16.

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.