How far is Middletown, MD from Essex, MD?

The driving distance from Middletown, MD to Essex, MD is about 89.6 miles (144.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.6 miles (116.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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
89.6 mi
01h 50m
Flight
72.63 mi
116.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Middletown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.63 mi
Kilometers
116.89 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.6 mi
Kilometers
144.2 km
Drive Time
01h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Essex
Fri, Apr 24, 5:52 AM EDT
Return by in Middletown
Fri, Apr 24, 7:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Middletown
2026-04-24T04:01
Arrive Essex
Fri, Apr 24, 5:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Middletown
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
Upper Marlboro
MD

Town in Maryland, United States

From Middletown
42.6 mi
00h 55m
To Essex
47 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NE
Destination
73°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Rock Point Road

    7 mi · 10 min · Rock Point Road

  2. 2

    Turn straight

    100 m · 9 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Crain Highway

    24.9 mi · 37 min · Crain Highway

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Crain Highway

    13 mi · 18 min · Crain Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on South East Crain Highway

    10.8 mi · 16 min · South East Crain Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Robert Crain Highway

    7.1 mi · 11 min · Robert Crain Highway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway

    2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

  9. 9

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  10. 10

    Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

  11. 11

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Boston Street

    1341 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff

    159 m · 15 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Interstate Avenue

    555 ft · 31 sec · Interstate Avenue

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: New York

    1447 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    1 km · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue

    1335 ft · 30 sec

  18. 18

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

    78 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Eastern Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Eastern Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right

    159 m · 38 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Middletown 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
23 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Crain Highway
37.9 mi · 42%
Robert Crain Highway
17.6 mi · 20%
South East Crain Highway
10.8 mi · 12%
Rock Point Road
6.95 mi · 8%
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.37 mi · 4%
Eastern Avenue
2.35 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Crain Highway

Merge slight left onto Crain Highway

24.9 mi · 00h 37m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17 mi
72.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Upper Marlboro
00h 55m from Middletown
Leave By
2:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Middletown and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Essex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 89.6 miles (144.2 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?

Upper Marlboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.6 miles from Middletown and 47 miles from Essex.

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

The direct path is about 72.6 miles (116.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 2:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.91 one way or $25.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Middletown and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Essex.

Stop Ideas Near Upper Marlboro

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 Upper Marlboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.1 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 12.6 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
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 10.8 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 Upper Marlboro.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

18 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

24 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

27 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

42 mi away
7 Amtrak Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Middletown and Essex. Straight-line distance: 72.63 mi (116.89 km).

Middletown

#1 Middletown

Town in Maryland, USA

Population4,910
Coordinates38.3076300, -76.8844100
Altitude5
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: Rock Point Road (-76.884304, 38.307677)
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.16 gal
11.97 L · about $12.91
Round trip
$25.82
6.32 gal · 23.94 L
Estimated CO2
28.1 kg one way
Round trip: 56.2 kg / 124 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $12.91 $25.82
Mid-grade $4.60 $14.53 $29.07
Premium $4.95 $15.65 $31.31
Diesel $5.98 $18.90 $37.79

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Middletown and Essex. The current time is 04:01:26.

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.