How far is Ocean City, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Ocean City, MD to Essex, MD is about 144.3 miles (232.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m 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 02h 38m.
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 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 Ocean City and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean City and Essex.
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1
Start on Philadelphia Avenue
1485 ft · 46 sec · Philadelphia Avenue
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2
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 10 min
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3
Take the exit slight right
47 m · 4 sec
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4
Turn straight onto Friendship Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Friendship Road
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5
Turn right onto Worcester Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Worcester Highway
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6
Take the ramp straight
1201 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Worcester Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Worcester Highway
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8
Continue on Dupont Boulevard
20 mi · 29 min · Dupont Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto Seashore Highway
10.9 mi · 17 min · Seashore Highway
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10
Turn right onto Sussex Highway
2544 ft · 43 sec · Sussex Highway
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11
Take the exit slight left
51 m · 6 sec
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12
Continue on Rifle Range Road
673 ft · 19 sec · Rifle Range Road
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13
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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14
Turn left onto Market Street
2366 ft · 46 sec · Market Street
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15
Turn right onto Seashore Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Seashore Highway
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16
Continue on Shore Highway
17.4 mi · 24 min · Shore Highway
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17
Continue on Queen Anne Highway
6.2 mi · 8 min · Queen Anne Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right
527 ft · 15 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Ocean Gateway
26.1 mi · 37 min · Ocean Gateway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MD 2 North: Ritchie Highway, Severna Park
2056 ft · 50 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Governor Ritchie Highway
8 mi · 12 min · Governor Ritchie Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MD 10 North, I 695: Baltimore
729 ft · 18 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Arundel Expressway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Arundel Expressway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Arundel Expressway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Arundel Expressway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward MD 270
1230 ft · 32 sec
-
26
Turn left onto East Furnace Branch Road
1.2 km · 1 min · East Furnace Branch Road
-
27
Turn right onto Ritchie Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Ritchie Highway
-
28
Turn slight right onto I 895
1450 ft · 21 sec
-
29
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
-
30
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
-
31
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
-
32
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
-
33
Take the exit slight right toward Boston Street
1341 ft · 33 sec
-
34
Turn straight onto O'Donnell Street Cutoff
159 m · 15 sec · O'Donnell Street Cutoff
-
35
Turn left onto Interstate Avenue
555 ft · 31 sec · Interstate Avenue
-
36
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: New York
1447 ft · 35 sec
-
37
Merge slight left
1 km · 51 sec
-
38
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
-
39
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
-
40
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
-
41
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
-
42
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
-
43
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
-
44
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ocean City and Essex.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Ocean Gateway
Merge slight left onto Ocean Gateway
26.1 mi · 00h 37m
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 Ocean City and Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ocean City to Essex?
The road trip is about 144.3 miles (232.3 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Denton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.5 miles from Ocean City and 77.9 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 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 1:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.80 one way or $41.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ocean City and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Denton
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 Denton.
Easton Airport, Maryland
Kent Island, MD
Dover, Delaware
Cambridge, Maryland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ocean City and Essex. Straight-line distance: 100.58 mi (161.86 km).
#1 Ocean City
Town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 6,913 |
| Coordinates | 38.3365000, -75.0849100 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 232 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $20.80 | $41.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $23.41 | $46.82 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $25.22 | $50.43 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $30.44 | $60.88 |
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.