Maryland Road Trip Ideas: 10 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Who's ready for an adventure around the Old Line State? With all the amazing places in Maryland, from Baltimore to Annapolis, the Chesapeake Bay, and beyond, there's much to see and do. Deciding where to start, though, can be a bit overwhelming. Well, we're here to help with our ideas for the best road trips in Maryland. So gas up your car or charge your EV, pack some road trip snacks, and hit the road.

Note: Confirm that all destinations are open, and check days and hours before setting off. Some destinations may be seasonal.

Road-tripping in Maryland is easy and fun, especially if you plan. For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. You can't forget the snacks whether you're leaving for a single day or a weeklong road trip. Here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip in Maryland

• 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 of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Maryland sound to you? Waterfalls are my favorite of Mother Nature's creations, so this road trip through Maryland sounds like paradise to me. It even features a waterfall along the Potomac River and an overnight at a delightful bed and breakfast.

Maryland's Least-Visited State Parks Road Trip

• 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? We suspect you haven't visited many or even any of those on one of the best road trips through Maryland. The route takes you to nearly every corner of the state, and there's a lot to see, so don't forget your camera.

Maryland Pie Shop Road Trip

• 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

Got a sweet tooth? (Guilty!) Get ready for it to go bananas for this Maryland pie shop road, which is undeniably one of the sweetest road trips through Maryland. Just be prepared for an epic sugar high. What kinds of pies will you try along the way? I can't wait to sink my teeth into a slice of traditional apple pie and maybe be a little daring with a chocolate peanut butter chess pie.

Best Maryland Road Trip for Spring

• 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

One of the most scenic trips in Maryland leads 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 wait until after a rainfall, you'll likely see the best waterfalls in Maryland. Check out the Maryland road trip map for directions.

Best Summer Road Trip in Maryland

• 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, including Witch's Grave and Crybaby Bridge. Now, it may not seem like a very summer-worthy road trip, but you spend most of your time outdoors by the beach, and it's one of the spookiest road trips through Maryland.

Best Maryland Road Trip for Fall

• 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 one of the most spooktacular scenic drives in Maryland, you'll love this one, which takes you to eerie abandoned spots and haunted destinations. Use caution when entering abandoned buildings, as some might be marked on private property, and those signs should be respected. Also, make sure you bring your wits when you tackle the spooky road trip, one of our favorite road trips in Maryland. Some of these spots are not for the faint of heart.

Best Winter Road Trip in Maryland

• 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

Christmas in Maryland is my favorite time of the year. A tradition since childhood (as a passenger), I'll drive around local neighborhoods to view the twinkling lights and festive displays. For a twist on that tradition, set off on this Maryland Christmas lights road trip. Slip into your favorite holiday gear, hop into the car, and turn on your favorite Christmas carols for an epic adventure. With so many impressive displays of twinkling lights, you'll feel the spirit of the season.

Family-Friendly Maryland Road Trip

• 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 road trips in Maryland is a family-friendly one. Full of fun and adventure, kids and adults 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. End your adventure with a tasty meal at Dead Freddies Island Grill in Ocean City before going for a stroll on the boardwalk, maybe to catch the sunset.

Road Trip to Maryland Landmarks & Natural Wonders

• 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 close to Delaware at Assateague State Park for an unforgettable finale. From cliffs to overlooks to astounding caves, this natural wonders itinerary is one of the most scenic trips in Maryland, sure to fuel your need for adventure. You'll have a bit of a coastal adventure as you visit a few of the best inland natural wonders.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Maryland

• 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. Try to spend at least a few hours in each small town. I love visiting Annapolis, strolling downtown and by the water, and exploring the shops and restaurants.

What are your favorite road trips through Maryland? What do you think are the best drives in Maryland? Let us know by filling out a nomination form. We might feature your nominees in an upcoming article.