How far is South Bel Air, MD from La Plata, MD?
The driving distance from South Bel Air, MD to La Plata, MD is about 87.5 miles (140.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.4 miles (124.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 05m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Bel Air and La Plata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air and La Plata.
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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
18.2 mi · 27 min
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19
Continue on Crain Highway
27.1 mi · 41 min · Crain Highway
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20
Turn left onto Charles Street
2232 ft · 1 min · Charles Street
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21
Turn left onto Kent Avenue
17 m · 4 sec · Kent Avenue
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22
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bel Air and La Plata.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Crain Highway
Continue on Crain Highway
27.1 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving South Bel Air and Partly Cloudy near La Plata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Bel Air to La Plata?
The road trip is about 87.5 miles (140.8 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Odenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.7 miles from South Bel Air and 43.7 miles from La Plata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.4 miles (124.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:20 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.07 one way or $24.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around South Bel Air and Partly Cloudy near La Plata.
Stop Ideas Near Odenton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Laurel City Mayor
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Odenton.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Pennsylvania Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bel Air and La Plata. Straight-line distance: 77.35 mi (124.48 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 La Plata
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 9,800 |
| Coordinates | 38.5292900, -76.9752500 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Plata (-76.97525, 38.52929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $12.07 | $24.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.53 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
| Premium | $4.87 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $19.36 | $38.72 |
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 · Nov 11, 2026