How far is Rockville, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Rockville, MD to Essex, MD is about 47 miles (75.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.5 miles (63.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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 00h 57m.
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.
Census-designated place in Howard 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 Rockville and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockville and Essex.
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1
Start on South Washington Street
91 m · 17 sec · South Washington Street
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2
Turn left onto West Jefferson Street
1648 ft · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street
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3
Continue on Veirs Mill Road
2844 ft · 1 min · Veirs Mill Road
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4
Turn left onto First Street
2769 ft · 1 min · First Street
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5
Continue on Norbeck Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · Norbeck Road
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6
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
1525 ft · 38 sec · Georgia Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward MD 200 Toll East
2675 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector
10.1 mi · 13 min · Intercounty Connector
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
2257 ft · 51 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Konterra Drive
2986 ft · 39 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville
1.5 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on MD 198 West: Burtonsville
2970 ft · 39 sec
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13
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 50 sec
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14
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 24 min
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15
Keep slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
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18
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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19
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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20
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
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21
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockville 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.
MD 198 West
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 00h 24m
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 Rockville and Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockville to Essex?
The road trip is about 47 miles (75.7 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.6 miles from Rockville and 23.4 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.5 miles (63.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 4:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.78 one way or $13.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rockville and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near North Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockville and Essex. Straight-line distance: 39.49 mi (63.55 km).
#1 Rockville
The most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 69,512 |
| Coordinates | 39.0840000, -77.1527600 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| 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: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.78 | $13.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.22 | $16.45 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.93 | $19.85 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.