Maryland is short on I-95 miles but long on things to do. The state runs roughly 100 miles along the corridor from the D.C./Virginia border in the south all the way through Baltimore and up to the Delaware line — and nearly every mile has something interesting to offer. Baltimore alone is worth a dedicated stop, and the stretch through Charm City is one of the most scenic urban highway segments on the East Coast.

Planning a stop? Hotels along I-95 in Maryland book up fast on summer weekends and holiday travel days — locking in a room ahead of time saves you the last-minute scramble.

Maryland I-95 Road Trip Guide: Best Stops, Baltimore & Travel Tips

Baltimore, MD — The Big Stop

Baltimore is the crown jewel of Maryland’s I-95 corridor. The Inner Harbor is an easy off-highway destination with a waterfront promenade, restaurants, and the National Aquarium — one of the best in the country. The Maryland Science Center right on the harbor is excellent for families. Fort McHenry National Monument — birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner — is a short drive from downtown and absolutely worth the detour. Fells Point has excellent seafood restaurants and a historic cobblestone character that makes Baltimore feel unique. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, right off I-395, is considered one of the most beautiful ballparks in America if you can time a game. Baltimore’s harbor cruises are one of the most underrated ways to see the city — 90 minutes on the water past Fort McHenry, the skyline, and the historic shipyards, and kids tend to love it far more than another museum stop. Fells Point ghost tours are excellent for families with older kids arriving in the evening. Dogs are welcome on many of the outdoor walking tours around the Inner Harbor, so it’s worth filtering for pet-friendly options if you have a four-legged co-pilot. Browse Baltimore tours on Viator →

Havre de Grace, MD

At the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is a charming small town worth the short detour off Exit 89. The Concord Point Lighthouse is the oldest continually operated lighthouse in Maryland. The waterfront promenade has beautiful views of the Susquehanna River meeting the Bay. The town has good local restaurants and a genuine small-town feel that’s hard to find so close to a major interstate.

Chesapeake House Travel Plaza — North East, MD

The Chesapeake House travel plaza (operated by Maryland Transportation Authority) near Exit 100 is one of the better highway rest complexes on the East Coast. Clean, spacious, with multiple food vendors, a convenience store, clean restrooms, and outdoor seating with Chesapeake Bay views. If you need a real break, this is the place to take it in Maryland.

BWI Area — Arundel Mills

Arundel Mills Mall near Exit 43 off I-95 (via I-295/Route 1) is one of the largest outlet and entertainment complexes in the mid-Atlantic. It has a Live! Casino adjacent, a massive Dave and Buster’s, an Alamo Drafthouse cinema, and over 200 stores. It’s a solid option for a longer break — especially if weather or traffic has you killing time near Baltimore.

Clean Bathroom Stops in Maryland

Maryland’s Maryland House (southbound, near Aberdeen) and Chesapeake House (northbound, near North East) are among the nicest highway travel plazas on the entire I-95 corridor — clean, staffed, and well-designed. Both have multiple food options and ample parking. The Kennedyville rest area near the Delaware border is smaller but generally maintained. In Baltimore, any Inner Harbor garage gives you immediate access to clean restrooms, water, and food.

Best Exits in Maryland on I-95

• Exit 22 (Baltimore / I-395): Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Camden Yards, Fort McHenry — Baltimore’s best
• Exit 43 (Arundel Mills): Massive outlet mall, Live! Casino, entertainment complex
• Exit 64 (Aberdeen): Maryland House travel plaza, clean restrooms, food options
• Exit 77 (Havre de Grace): Charming waterfront town, lighthouse, great local seafood
• Exit 100 (North East / Chesapeake House): Best travel plaza in Maryland — Bay views, clean facilities

Maryland I-95 Travel Tips

The Baltimore tunnel (Fort McHenry Tunnel) has a toll — $3–$6 depending on vehicle type — and cash or E-ZPass are both accepted. Trucks and vehicles carrying hazardous materials must use the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) instead. The stretch through Baltimore gets congested during morning and evening rush hours; budget extra time if you’re passing through on a weekday. The I-95 Express Toll Lanes in Maryland between Baltimore and the Delaware line can save time. The entire I-95 route through Maryland is also notable for its stunning view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge approaches if you detour east, and the state has excellent highway signage. Note: Maryland E-ZPass works seamlessly on the entire corridor from Maine to Florida.

Top I-95 Exits in Maryland Worth a Stop

Maryland’s I-95 corridor is short — about 110 miles — but it passes through some of the most varied terrain on the East Coast, from the Chesapeake Bay waterfront to the urban core of Baltimore and the DC suburbs. These exits consistently deliver.

Exit 53 — Baltimore Inner Harbor & Fort McHenry

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is one of the most revitalized urban waterfronts in the United States, and Exit 53 puts you right at its edge. The National Aquarium is one of the best in the country. Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the War of 1812, is just minutes away and free to enter with a National Parks pass. The Fells Point neighborhood offers excellent seafood restaurants and a walkable historic streetscape. Budget at least three hours; Baltimore rewards those who linger.

Exit 80 — Aberdeen Proving Ground & APG Museum

The US Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground houses one of the largest collections of military vehicles and weaponry open to the public in the country — tanks, artillery pieces, and experimental weapons dating from World War I to the Gulf War. It’s a worthwhile and unusual detour for military history enthusiasts. The nearby town of Havre de Grace at Exit 89 also merits a stop, with a scenic promenade along the Susquehanna River and excellent waterfront dining.

Exit 35 — Maryland House Travel Plaza

Maryland House is consistently ranked among the best travel plazas on the entire Northeast I-95 corridor. Unlike generic highway rest stops, it features a food court with both regional and national options, clean facilities, a staffed information desk with Maryland travel guides, pet areas, and ample truck parking separated from car parking. It sits in a scenic position above the highway and is a reliable and comfortable place to take a break.

Frequently Asked Questions: I-95 in Maryland

What is the best stop on I-95 in Maryland?

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is the standout attraction for most visitors driving through Maryland on I-95. The combination of the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, waterfront restaurants, and the Fells Point historic district makes it the most rewarding single stop in the state. For a quicker stop that’s still memorable, the Maryland House travel plaza is excellent and the Havre de Grace waterfront at Exit 89 is a hidden gem that most drivers pass without knowing about.

How long is I-95 in Maryland?

I-95 runs approximately 109 miles through Maryland, entering from Delaware in the northeast near the Susquehanna River and exiting into Washington DC or Virginia in the southwest. Under ideal conditions, you can drive this stretch in about 90 minutes, but traffic around Baltimore — especially the Fort McHenry Tunnel — frequently extends that to 2.5–3 hours during peak commute windows. The tunnel itself is the most common congestion bottleneck; check traffic apps before approaching Baltimore and consider using the Bay Bridge connector route during severe slowdowns if you have time flexibility.

Is there a toll on I-95 in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland’s I-95 includes several tolled sections, most notably the Fort McHenry Tunnel through Baltimore and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95 northeast of Baltimore). E-ZPass is accepted at all toll plazas and provides a discount over cash rates. If you’re doing the full I-95 run from the mid-Atlantic states, an E-ZPass transponder pays for itself quickly. Maryland’s toll rates are moderate by Northeast standards — the Fort McHenry Tunnel runs about $4 each way for passenger vehicles as of 2026.