How far is Indian Head, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Indian Head, MD to Essex, MD is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.3 miles (98.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 53m 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 26m.
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 Prince George's 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 Indian Head and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indian Head and Essex.
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1
Start on Indian Head Highway
20.7 mi · 32 min · Indian Head Highway
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2
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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3
Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS
639 ft · 18 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
870 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway
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7
Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore
2038 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
29.8 mi · 41 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: New York
1.1 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
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15
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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16
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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17
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
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18
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Indian Head and Essex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Indian Head and Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Indian Head to Essex?
The road trip is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?
Berwyn Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.9 miles from Indian Head and 38.3 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.3 miles (98.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 3:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.54 one way or $21.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Indian Head and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Berwyn Heights
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Berwyn Heights.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Indian Head and Essex. Straight-line distance: 61.35 mi (98.74 km).
#1 Indian Head
Town in Charles County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 3,787 |
| Coordinates | 38.6001200, -77.1622000 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 118 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $10.54 | $21.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.87 | $23.73 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $12.78 | $25.56 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $15.43 | $30.86 |
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.