How far is South Bel Air, MD from California, MD?
The driving distance from South Bel Air, MD to California, MD is about 107.7 miles (173.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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 34m.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Bel Air and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air and California.
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1
Start on South Shamrock Road
1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road
1341 ft · 45 sec · East MacPhail Road
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3
Turn left onto South Main Street
151 m · 14 sec · South Main Street
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4
Continue on Emmorton Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road
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5
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road
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6
Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Baltimore
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi · 8 min · Express Toll Lanes
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi · 2 min · Express Toll Lanes
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11
Merge slight right onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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12
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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13
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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14
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2567 ft · 40 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 97 South: Annapolis
1.1 mi · 1 min
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17
Continue straight
8.9 mi · 10 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
17.9 mi · 27 min
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19
Turn left onto Village Drive West
70 m · 11 sec · Village Drive West
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20
Turn right onto Old Crain Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Crain Highway
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21
Continue on Marlboro Pike
1.2 km · 2 min · Marlboro Pike
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22
Turn right onto Green Landing Road
1334 ft · 38 sec · Green Landing Road
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23
Take the ramp left toward MD 4 South
1567 ft · 38 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Stephanie Roper Highway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Stephanie Roper Highway
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25
Continue on Southern Maryland Boulevard
10.2 mi · 14 min · Southern Maryland Boulevard
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26
Continue on North Solomons Island Road
9 mi · 13 min · North Solomons Island Road
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27
Continue on South Solomons Island Road
18.6 mi · 27 min · South Solomons Island Road
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28
Continue on Thomas Johnson Bridge
1.4 mi · 2 min · Thomas Johnson Bridge
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29
Continue on Patuxent Beach Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Patuxent Beach Road
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30
Turn left onto Three Notch Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Three Notch Road
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31
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
1065 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shady Mile Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bel Air and California.
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.
South Solomons Island Road
Continue on South Solomons Island Road
18.6 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Bel Air and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Bel Air to California?
The road trip is about 107.7 miles (173.4 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Mitchellville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.9 miles from South Bel Air and 53.9 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 1:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.11 one way or $32.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around South Bel Air and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near California.
Stop Ideas Near Mitchellville
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 Mitchellville.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
BWI Rail Station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bel Air and California. Straight-line distance: 85.66 mi (137.86 km).
#1 South Bel Air
A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
| Population | 48,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.5331600, -76.3374600 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.50745, 38.3004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 173 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $16.11 | $32.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $18.40 | $36.80 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $19.55 | $39.11 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $24.18 | $48.35 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026