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Travel leg · Capital Cities Corridor

Washington, DC to Baltimore

Washington, DC and Baltimore sit about 56 km (35 mi) apart in a straight line, with Baltimore to the north-east. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Capital Cities Corridor itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.

Directions in Google Maps See the full Capital Cities Corridor route
Washington, DC, where this leg starts
From · Washington
Baltimore, where this leg ends
To · Baltimore
Straight-line distance
56 km · 35 mi
Est. road distance
67–79 km
Est. drive time
50 min – 1 h 30 min
Direction
Heading north-east
Curated routes
1 itinerary

Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.

Ways to get there

We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.

By train

Our Capital Cities Corridor itinerary is easy to do on public transport, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.

By car

Driving is an estimated 67–79 km (42–49 mi) and 50 min – 1 h 30 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.

Most travelers link the three cities by Amtrak or regional rail, which is easy to do without a car. Driving works too, though parking in city centers is a hassle. Once you arrive, each city is best explored on foot, with transit for longer hops.

Open Washington → Baltimore directions in Google Maps ↗

Worth stopping for

Picks from our curated guides at both ends.

When you arrive in Baltimore

One full day: Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor by day, crab cakes, then Fells Point bars at night.

Before you leave Washington, DC

Plan two days: one for the Mall's monuments and Smithsonians, one for Capitol Hill and a neighborhood like U Street.

On this curated route

Where Washington → Baltimore sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.

Going the other way? Baltimore to Washington, DC is the same 56 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗

Weather at each end

Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.

Average monthly high temperature and rainfall in Washington, DC and Baltimore
MeasureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Washington high4°6°11°18°23°28°31°30°27°20°13°7°
Baltimore high4°5°11°18°23°28°31°30°27°20°13°6°
Washington rain677084921091181161091071058095
Baltimore rain707185941061171141061131098196

Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Baltimore month guides.

Washington to Baltimore: questions travelers ask

How far is Washington, DC from Baltimore?

Washington, DC is about 56 km (35 mi) from Baltimore in a straight line, with Baltimore to the north-east. By road, we estimate 67–79 km (42–49 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.

How long does it take to drive from Washington, DC to Baltimore?

An estimated 50 min – 1 h 30 min, assuming 67–79 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.

Which itineraries include the trip from Washington, DC to Baltimore?

Our Capital Cities Corridor itinerary includes this leg. Capital Cities Corridor runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Mar – Jun.

Onward from Baltimore

Guides for both ends

Baltimore by month

More to explore

Plan Washington → Baltimore with your crew

Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.

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