How far is Thurmont, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Thurmont, MD to Essex, MD is about 75.6 miles (121.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m 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 01h 17m.
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.
Town in Carroll 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 Thurmont and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thurmont and Essex.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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2
Keep slight right to continue on Jimtown Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Jimtown Road
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3
Turn left onto Creagerstown Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Creagerstown Road
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4
Continue on Woodsboro Creagerstown Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Woodsboro Creagerstown Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Woodsboro Pike
13 m · 1 sec · Woodsboro Pike
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6
Continue on Woodsboro Pike
2925 ft · 1 min · Woodsboro Pike
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7
Turn left onto Woodsboro Road
5 mi · 7 min · Woodsboro Road
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8
Turn left onto Main Street
1753 ft · 34 sec · Main Street
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9
Turn right onto Walnut Street
890 ft · 18 sec · Walnut Street
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10
Continue on Green Valley Road
7.4 mi · 11 min · Green Valley Road
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11
Turn left onto I 70 East
2061 ft · 52 sec
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12
Merge slight left
12.8 mi · 14 min
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13
Continue straight
6.5 mi · 7 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore
9.1 mi · 10 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
1056 ft · 16 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 695 South: Baltimore, Glen Burnie
2879 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Baltimore Beltway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 95 South: Baltimore, Washington
1102 ft · 27 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Baltimore
1.5 km · 2 min
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20
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 6 min
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21
Keep slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
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24
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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25
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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26
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
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27
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thurmont 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.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
12.8 mi · 00h 14m
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 Thurmont and Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thurmont to Essex?
The road trip is about 75.6 miles (121.6 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?
Sykesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.9 miles from Thurmont and 40.7 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 3:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.91 one way or $21.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thurmont and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Sykesville
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 Sykesville.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
Frederick Airport, MD
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thurmont and Essex. Straight-line distance: 54.44 mi (87.61 km).
#1 Thurmont
Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 7,070 |
| Coordinates | 39.6237100, -77.4108200 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| 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: 122 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $12.28 | $24.56 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $13.23 | $26.45 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $15.97 | $31.93 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.