How far is Shady Side, MD from Catonsville, MD?

The driving distance from Shady Side, MD to Catonsville, MD is about 43.4 miles (69.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32 miles (51.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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
43.41 mi
00h 58m
Flight
31.98 mi
51.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Shady Side.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.98 mi
Kilometers
51.47 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.41 mi
Kilometers
69.86 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Catonsville
Wed, Apr 22, 8:31 PM EDT
Return by in Shady Side
Wed, Apr 22, 9:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Shady Side
2026-04-22T19:33
Arrive Catonsville
Wed, Apr 22, 8:31 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Shady Side
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
Crownsville
MD

Census-designated place in Maryland, United Staes

From Shady Side
21.7 mi
00h 29m
To Catonsville
21.7 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W
Destination
72°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Shady Side and Catonsville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Shady Side and Catonsville.

  1. 1

    Start on Snug Harbor Road

    1278 ft · 41 sec · Snug Harbor Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Shady Side Road

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Shady Side Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Muddy Creek Road

    8.4 mi · 13 min · Muddy Creek Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Central Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Solomons Island Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Solomons Island Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Solomons Island Road

    47 m · 9 sec · Solomons Island Road

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 665 West, US 301, I 97, US 50: Aris T Allen Boulevard

    1035 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Aris T Allen Boulevard

    1 km · 53 sec · Aris T Allen Boulevard

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 97, US 50 West, US 301 South: Washington, Baltimore

    1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 97 North: Baltimore

    1 km · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    6 mi · 7 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 695 West: Baltimore, Towson

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight right onto Baltimore Beltway

    6.5 mi · 9 min · Baltimore Beltway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 144: Catonsville

    1337 ft · 39 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Frederick Road

    2417 ft · 1 min · Frederick Road

  17. 17

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Shady Side and Catonsville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 97 North
17 mi · 39%
Muddy Creek Road
8.35 mi · 19%
Baltimore Beltway
6.46 mi · 15%
Solomons Island Road
3.65 mi · 8%
Shady Side Road
2.82 mi · 6%
Central Avenue
1.33 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 97 North

Keep slight left

10.4 mi · 00h 12m

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
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.4 mi
32 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crownsville
00h 29m from Shady Side
Leave By
4:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Shady Side and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Catonsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Shady Side to Catonsville?

The road trip is about 43.4 miles (69.9 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

Crownsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.7 miles from Shady Side and 21.7 miles from Catonsville.

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

The direct path is about 32 miles (51.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 4:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.25 one way or $12.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Shady Side and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Catonsville.

Stop Ideas Near Crownsville

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 Crownsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.9 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 14.9 mi away

Laurel City Mayor

Laurel , MD
8103 Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD 20707
Rating 4.3/5 3 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 7.9 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 Crownsville.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

20 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

24 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

31 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
BUS

Kent Island, MD

32 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Shady Side and Catonsville. Straight-line distance: 31.98 mi (51.47 km).

Shady Side

#1 Shady Side

Census designated place

Population5,803
Coordinates38.8417800, -76.5121800
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Catonsville

#2 Catonsville

A city in Baltimore County, Maryland.

Population41,567
Coordinates39.2720500, -76.7319200
Altitude146
CountryUnited States
Start: Snug Harbor Road (-76.512127, 38.841722)
End: (-76.731988, 39.272037)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.53 gal
5.8 L · about $6.25
Round trip
$12.50
3.06 gal · 11.6 L
Estimated CO2
13.6 kg one way
Round trip: 27.2 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.25 $12.50
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.04 $14.07
Premium $4.95 $7.58 $15.16
Diesel $5.98 $9.15 $18.30

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Shady Side and Catonsville. The current time is 19:33:07.

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.