Maryland Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Who’s ready for an adventure around the Old Line State? With all the amazing places this state has to offer from Baltimore to Annapolis, the Chesapeake Bay, and beyond, there’s just so much to see. Well, we’re here to help with some of our best Maryland road trip ideas. So gas up your car or charge your EV, pack some snacks, and hit the road!

Claire Fazio/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.

1-Day Road Trip In Maryland

National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes/Facebook

• Route: National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes > Catoctin Mountain Orchard > Red Heifer Winery > High Rock >
• Distance: 22 miles
• Trip Time: 41 minutes

Between its short distance and free admission, this Maryland road trip itinerary only has four stops, making it perfect for a day trip! Take in some gorgeous scenery, stop by an orchard, and spend some time at a winery...it's a perfectly affordable road trip!

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3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Maryland

Mark S/Flickr

• Route: Kilgore Falls > Turf Valley Resort > Great Falls / Billy Goat Trail > Bay Farms Bed & Breakfast > Swallow Falls State Park
• Distance: 285 miles
• Trip Time: 5 hours 20 minutes

How does a three-day road trip to three waterfalls sound to you? There's even an overnight destination in this Maryland road trip itinerary. There's nothing prettier than a waterfall. There's one you can even see along the Potomac River.

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Maryland’s Least-Visited State Road Trip

Jon Dawson/Flickr

• Route: Sang Run State Park > Casselman River Bridge State Park > Fort Frederick > Gathland State Park > Patuxent River State Park > Palmer State Park > Rosaryville State Park > Chapel Point State Park
• Distance: 346 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours

How many of Maryland's state parks have you visited? Well, we suspect you haven't visited many or even any of the ones on this road trip through Maryland. The route takes you to nearly every corner of the state, and there's a lot to see!

Maryland Pie Shop Road Trip

Pennsylvania Dutch Market - Hagerstown/Facebook

• Route: Blue Goose Fruit Market & Bakery > Pennsylvania Dutch Market > Deb's Artisan Bakehouse > Baugher's Fruit Market > Dangerously Delicious Pies >
• Distance: 145 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours

How about a sweet road trip to some of the best pie shops in the state? This is one of the best Maryland road trips that will keep you on a sugar high the entire time. What kinds of pies will you try along the way?

Best Maryland Road Trip For Spring

Bart/Flickr

• Route: Kilgore Falls > Cascade Falls > Clyde's Towers Oaks Lodge > Cunningham Falls State Park > Paw Paw Falls > Mountain State Brewing Co. > Swallow Falls State Park
• Distance: 296 miles
• Trip Time:5 hours 46 minutes

This Maryland road trip takes you to some of the state's most majestic waterfalls. These natural wonders are gorgeous year-round, but a trip in early spring offers the most water flow. If you just so happen to wait until after a rainfall, you'll likely see the best waterfalls around. Check out the Maryland road trip map for directions.

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Best Summer Road Trip In Maryland

Jason Mantzouranis/Google Local

• Route: Witch's Grave > Crybaby Bridge > Decoursey Bridge > Pocomoke Forest > Witch's Tree > Ocean City Life-Saving Museum
• Distance: 234 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours 51 minutes

This creepy Maryland road trip will take you to eerie eastern shore spots. Now it may not seem like a very summer-worthy road trip to do, but you will be spending the majority of your time outdoors and you'll be by the beach. It's one spooky Maryland road trip itinerary!

Best Maryland Road Trip For Fall

M F Flaherty/Flickr

• Route: Mallows Bay > Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum > Historic Sotterley > Point Lookout State Park
• Distance: 90 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours

If you're up for a spooktacular scenic drive in Maryland, then you're sure to love this one, which takes you to eerie abandoned spots and places that are known to be haunted. Use caution when entering the abandoned buildings, as some might be marked on private property and those signs should be respected. Also, make sure that when you tackle the spooky road trip, you bring your wits! Some of these spots are not for the faint of heart. This is one of our favorite Maryland road trip ideas!

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Best Winter Road Trip In Maryland

gaithersburgmd.gov

• Route: Miracle on 34th Street, Baltimore > Ellicott City Lights > Symphony of Lights, Columbia > Winter Lights Festival, Gaithersburg > Festival of Lights, Upper Marlboro > Lights on the Bay, Annapolis
• Distance: 137 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours

When winter arrives it's all about holiday lights and family gatherings. So, we think you should gather your family, hop in the car, and take this Maryland Christmas lights road trip. With so many impressive displays of twinkling lights, you'll feel the spirit of the season!

Family-Friendly Maryland Road Trip

Frontier Town

• Route: Delmarva Discovery Museum > Mad Hatter Cafe > Salisbury Zoo > The Mermaid Museum > Frontier Town > Baja Amusements > Dead Freddies Island Grill
• Distance: 66 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

One of the best Maryland road trips happens to be a family-friendly one. Full of fun and adventure, kids and adults alike will love every stop along the way. From a zoo to a mermaid museum to a western-themed attraction to amusement parks, you'll have a blast!

Road Trip to Maryland Landmarks & Natural Wonders

cranky messiah/Flickr

• Route: Swallow Falls State Park > Dans Rock Overlook > Crystal Grottoes Caverns > Cunningham Falls State Park > Patapsco Valley State Park > Billy Goat Trail > Calvert Cliffs State Park > Rocks State Park > Elk Neck State Park > Assateague State Park
• Distance: 645 miles
• Trip Time: 12 hours 41 minutes

This Maryland natural wonders road trip will take you from close to the West Virginia border, east past Washington D.C., and terminates close to Delaware at Assateague State Park. From cliffs to overlooks to astounding caves, this natural wonders road trip is one of the most scenic drives in Maryland. This trek will fuel your need for adventure. Visit Maryland's most majestic spots in one delightful trip. You'll enjoy a little bit of a coastal adventure along this trek, but also a few of the best inland natural spots, too.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Maryland

Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr

• Route: Solomons > North Beach > Annapolis > Havre de Grace > Chesapeake City > Chestertown > Rock Hall > St. Michaels > Ocean City > Crisfield
• Distance: 368 miles
• Trip Time: 8 hours

For this road trip through Maryland, we head to the coast. Explore the quaint waterfront towns along Maryland's eastern shore and beyond. Do some shopping, take in the sights, and dine at one of the many restaurants. These towns are as charming as can be!

Which of these Maryland road trip ideas are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!