How far is Towson, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Towson, MD to Essex, MD is about 12.2 miles (19.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.3 miles (15 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 42m 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 21m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Towson and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Towson and Essex.
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1
Start on Shealy Avenue
60 m · 15 sec · Shealy Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Delaware Avenue
106 m · 16 sec · Delaware Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East Joppa Road
2727 ft · 1 min · East Joppa Road
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4
Turn left onto Providence Road
1892 ft · 1 min · Providence Road
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5
Turn right onto Cromwell Bridge Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Cromwell Bridge Road
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 695 East: Essex
1164 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Baltimore Beltway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Baltimore Beltway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Baltimore Beltway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150 West: Essex
2480 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn straight onto Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto North Woodward Drive
57 m · 14 sec · North Woodward Drive
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13
Turn left
100 m · 24 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Towson 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.
Baltimore Beltway
Keep slight right to continue on Baltimore Beltway
4.55 mi · 00h 06m
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 Clear leaving Towson and Clear near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Towson to Essex?
The road trip is about 12.2 miles (19.6 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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?
Overlea is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.1 miles from Towson and 6.1 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.3 miles (15 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.9 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 7:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.76 one way or $3.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Towson and Clear near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Overlea
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 Overlea.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
Aberdeen
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Towson and Essex. Straight-line distance: 9.31 mi (14.98 km).
#1 Towson
Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| Population | 55,197 |
| Coordinates | 39.4015000, -76.6019100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| 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: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.76 | $3.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $1.98 | $3.96 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.13 | $4.26 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.57 | $5.14 |
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 · Jul 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.