How far is University Park, MD from Essex, MD?

The driving distance from University Park, MD to Essex, MD is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
39.28 mi
00h 52m
Flight
34.27 mi
55.15 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from University Park.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.27 mi
Kilometers
55.15 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.28 mi
Kilometers
63.22 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Essex
Thu, Apr 16, 7:18 AM EDT
Return by in University Park
Thu, Apr 16, 8:10 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave University Park
2026-04-16T06:25
Arrive Essex
Thu, Apr 16, 7:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in University Park
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Jessup
MD

Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Maryland, United States

From University Park
20.1 mi
00h 26m
To Essex
19.2 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SW
Destination
90°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between University Park and Essex.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between University Park and Essex.

  1. 1

    Start on Queens Chapel Road

    1481 ft · 60 sec · Queens Chapel Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Baltimore Avenue

    3.3 mi · 9 min · Baltimore Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring

    1016 ft · 25 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    1.3 km · 57 sec · Capital Beltway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I-95 North: Baltimore

    27.6 mi · 33 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    4.3 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue

    1335 ft · 30 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex

    78 m · 8 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Eastern Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Eastern Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right

    159 m · 38 sec

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between University Park and Essex.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-95 North
31.8 mi · 81%
Baltimore Avenue
3.26 mi · 8%
Eastern Avenue
2.35 mi · 6%
Eastern Boulevard
0.96 mi · 2%
Capital Beltway
0.82 mi · 2%
Queens Chapel Road
0.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-95 North

Keep slight right to continue on I-95 North: Baltimore

27.6 mi · 00h 33m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5 mi
34.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jessup
00h 26m from University Park
Leave By
4:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving University Park and Partly Sunny near Essex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from University Park to Essex?

The road trip is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?

Jessup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from University Park and 19.2 miles from Essex.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5 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 4:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.68 one way or $11.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around University Park and Partly Sunny near Essex.

Stop Ideas Near Jessup

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Jessup and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12.5 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 11.4 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 4.6 mi away

Relay Town Hall

Halethorpe , MD
1710 Arlington Ave, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jessup.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

8 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

22 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

23 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

33 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between University Park and Essex. Straight-line distance: 34.27 mi (55.15 km).

University Park

#1 University Park

Town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population2,628
Coordinates38.9703900, -76.9419200
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Essex

#2 Essex

This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.

Population1,832,752
Coordinates39.3092700, -76.4749600
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Queens Chapel Road (-76.941936, 38.970405)
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 63 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.39 gal
5.25 L · about $5.68
Round trip
$11.36
2.78 gal · 10.5 L
Estimated CO2
12.4 kg one way
Round trip: 24.7 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.68 $11.36
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.39 $12.79
Premium $4.95 $6.89 $13.77
Diesel $5.98 $8.31 $16.62

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 · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between University Park and Essex. The current time is 06:25:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.