How far is La Plata, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from La Plata, MD to Essex, MD is about 72 miles (115.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 05m 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 32m.
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.
The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.
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 La Plata and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Plata and Essex.
-
1
Start on the route
3 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Kent Avenue
17 m · 4 sec · Kent Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Charles Street
2011 ft · 1 min · Charles Street
-
4
Turn right onto Crain Highway
14 mi · 22 min · Crain Highway
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Crain Highway
13 mi · 18 min · Crain Highway
-
6
Continue on South East Crain Highway
10.8 mi · 16 min · South East Crain Highway
-
7
Continue on Robert Crain Highway
7.1 mi · 11 min · Robert Crain Highway
-
8
Merge slight left
10.4 mi · 12 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
-
10
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
-
11
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
-
12
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Boston Street
1341 ft · 33 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff
159 m · 15 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff
-
15
Turn left onto Interstate Avenue
555 ft · 31 sec · Interstate Avenue
-
16
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: New York
1447 ft · 35 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
1 km · 51 sec
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
-
20
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
-
21
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
-
23
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Plata 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.
Crain Highway
Turn right onto Crain Highway
14 mi · 00h 22m
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 La Plata and Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Plata to Essex?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.9 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?
Bowie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.9 miles from La Plata and 38.2 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.2 miles (96.9 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 3:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.38 one way or $20.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Plata and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Bowie
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 Bowie.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
BWI Rail Station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Plata and Essex. Straight-line distance: 60.23 mi (96.93 km).
#1 La Plata
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 9,800 |
| Coordinates | 38.5292900, -76.9752500 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| 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: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $10.38 | $20.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.68 | $23.36 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $12.58 | $25.17 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $15.19 | $30.38 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.