How far is South Bel Air, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from South Bel Air, MD to Essex, MD is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Community in Baltimore County Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Bel Air and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air and Essex.
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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 right to continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
3.2 mi · 4 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 695: Essex, Towson
2225 ft · 38 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 695 East: Essex
1.2 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Beltway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150 West: Essex
2480 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn straight onto Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto North Woodward Drive
57 m · 14 sec · North Woodward Drive
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17
Turn left
100 m · 24 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bel Air 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.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.15 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Bel Air and Sunny then Slight 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 South Bel Air to Essex?
The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
White Marsh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.6 miles from South Bel Air and 11.6 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.49 one way or $6.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around South Bel Air and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near White Marsh
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 White Marsh.
Pennsylvania Station
Aberdeen
BWI Rail Station
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bel Air and Essex. Straight-line distance: 17.12 mi (27.56 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 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: Essex (-76.47496, 39.30927)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.26 | $3.49 | $6.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.85 | $3.97 | $7.95 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $4.22 | $8.45 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $5.22 | $10.44 |
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 14, 2026