Maryland driving guide

Getting ready to explore “America in Miniature”? We’ve got the perfect guide to help you on your way. Plan your route, reserve your rental and read up on the driving rules in Maryland for a smooth-sailing trip through the state’s diverse landscape.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices 
• Electric car charging 
• Driving between Maryland and other states
• Driving conditions 

Quick rules of the road

• At an intersection, a vehicle approaching from the left must yield to a vehicle approaching from the right.
• When turning, slowing or stopping, an appropriate signal is required if another vehicle could be affected by the movement.
• You must turn on your headlights when wipers are in use or visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
• There are sanctions in place for aggressive drivers, including a fine and up to five demerit points against your driving license.

Speed limits in Maryland

Many roads and highways will have road signs to mark the maximum speed limit. But in case there aren’t, here is a breakdown of the standard speed limits for different roads in Maryland.

Toll roads in Maryland

There are nine toll roads in Maryland. Most of them are focused around the Baltimore area with some others scattered across the state.

Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

This 1.4-mile-long tunnel located in the city takes you under the Patapsco River.

From: Hanover Street/Shell Road, Baltimore (Exit 8A/8B)

To: O’Donnell Street, Baltimore (Exit 11A/11B)

Cost for cars: $3.00 with Maryland E-ZPass, $4.00 with other E-ZPass or $6.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $8.00 with E-ZPass or $12.00 without

Fort McHenry Tunnel

Located near Fort McHenry, this 1.7-mile-long underwater tunnel provides a crucial link to the I-95, connecting the Locust Point and Canton areas of Baltimore.

From: Key Highway, Baltimore (Exit 55)

To: Keith Avenue, Baltimore (Exit 56)

Cost for cars: $3.00 with Maryland E-ZPass, $4.00 with other E-ZPass or $6.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $8.00 with E-ZPass or $12.00 without

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge

This bridge crosses Chesapeake Bay, linking the Eastern Shore with the Western Shore.  

From: Oceanic Road in Annapolis (Exit 32)

To: Romancoke Road in Stevensville (Exit 37)

Cost for cars: $2.50 with Maryland E-ZPass, $4.00 with other E-ZPass or $6.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $8.00 with E-ZPass or $12.00 without

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Also known as the Key Bridge, this toll bridge crosses Patapsco River in Southern Baltimore. 

From: Bethlehem Boulevard/Peninsula Expressway in Edgemere (Exit 43)

To: MD 173/Hawkins Point Road (Exit 1)

Cost for cars: $3.00 with Maryland E-ZPass, $4.00 with other E-ZPass or $6.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $8.00 with E-ZPass or $12.00 without

Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge

Located in northeast Maryland, this 1.3-mile-long bridge stretches across the Susquehanna River on US 40.

From: Havre De Grace

To: Perryville

Cost for cars: $6.00 with Maryland E-ZPass, $8.00 with other E-ZPass or $12.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $11.20 with Maryland E-ZPass, $16.00 with other E-ZPass or $24.00 without

Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge

This bridge connects Maryland with Virginia, over the Potomac River. It’s also used as a bypass for the busy metropolitan area between Baltimore and Washington, DC.

From: Newburg, Thompkinsville, MD

To: Dahlgren, VA

Cost for cars: $4.50 with Maryland E-ZPass, $6.00 with other E-ZPass or $9.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $12.00 with E-ZPass or $18.00 without

Oldtown Toll Bridge

Privately owned, this bridge sits on the Potomac River, between Maryland and West Virginia.  

From: Maryland

To: West Virginia

Cost for cars: $1.50

Cost for trucks: $1.50

The Intercounty Connector (ICC)

Also known as Maryland Route 200 (MD 200), this 18.8-mile-long toll road provides access to various counties across the state. The road is variably priced to support congestion management, with peak hours running weekdays from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm.

From: Gaithersburg

To: Thompkinsville

Cost for cars: $1.23-$3.86 with E-ZPass or $2.23-$5.78 without (depending on time of travel)

Cost for trucks: $2.45-$7.71 with E-ZPass or $3.68-$11.57 without (depending on time of travel)

John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95)

This portion of the I-95 in Maryland takes you from the Harbor Tunnel Thruway all the way to the Delaware border and is one of Maryland’s busiest roads.

From: Baltimore

To: Elkton

Cost for cars: $6.00 with Maryland E-ZPass, $8.00 with other E-ZPass or $12.00 without

Cost for 3-axle trucks and vehicles: $16.00 with E-ZPass or $24.00 without

How to pay for toll roads in Maryland

In Maryland, you can pay for all toll roads using one of the following methods:

• E-ZPass MD
• Any other toll tag that is part of the E-ZPass network
• Cash
• Pay-by-Plate – this payment type is processed after using the toll road.

Driving ages and license requirements in Maryland

• The legal driving age in Maryland with a full license is 18.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Maryland with Hertz is 20.

If you’re under 25, you can find more information about the Hertz vehicle range and additional information for young drivers by visiting our handy guide for renters under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Maryland

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driving license – it is required by law to carry your license with you on the road
• Proof of insurance – this is one of the car insurance requirements in Maryland to avoid incurring a fine during a traffic stop
• Proof of rental agreement – required during a traffic stop
• Warning triangles
• Identification.

You may also want to consider carrying:

• A spare tire, car jack, and lug wrench – essential quick repair items that are always handy on long road trips
• The owner’s manual – can provide you with useful information about the car
• A first aid kit – in case of emergency, a basic kit in your trunk could be essential
• GPS – a must-have when you’re traveling in unfamiliar areas.

There are certain items that you’re not permitted to carry in your Hertz car, so please check your rental agreement for more information.

Maryland speed violations, infractions and penalties

Going above the speed limit in Maryland generally incurs a fine and demerit points against your driving license.

There are two speeding laws in operation – basic speeding law and absolute speeding law. The first law refers to driving at an excessive speed under dangerous conditions. The second speeding law applies to driving faster than the posted limit.

The speeding penalties in Maryland can range anywhere from $80 to $530. If you exceed the speed limit by 1-9mph, you could get an $80 fine and one point on your license. But, if you’re going 40mph or more over the speed limit, this could result in a $530 fine and five points on your license.

Driving with children in Maryland

These are the car seat requirements in Maryland:

• All children under eight years old or under 4’9’’ tall are required to be in a car seat.
• Children under two years of age must be in a rear-facing car seat unless the child exceeds the maximum height or weight specified by the manufacturer.

Gas prices in Maryland

The average gas price in Maryland is $3.74 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Chevrolet Spark, that’s about $0.10 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Maxima, it works out at $0.13 per mile.
• And for an SUV like a Chevrolet Equinox, it’s around $0.18 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated November 11, 2022.

Electric car charging in Maryland

There are more than 1,200 public EV charging stations in Maryland. And this number is set to grow, as the state has set a goal to have 300,000 emission-free vehicles on its roads by 2025. Some common places to charge your electric car include parking lots, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels.

Driving between Maryland and other states

A Hertz rental allows you to drive between Maryland and its neighboring states. You can explore Pennsylvania  to the north, Delaware to the east, Virginia  to the south and, if you’re travelling west, you can cross the border into West Virginia .

When you opt for a one-way rental, you can easily drop off your rental car at a different location.

Driving conditions in Maryland

Due to its unusual shape, Maryland has two different climates. The eastern part has a warm maritime climate, with hot summers and mild winters, while in the west, you’ll find a moderate climate, with colder winters and snowfall.

Temperatures can range from 44°F in the winter to 89°F Fahrenheit in the summer. Tropical storms and hurricanes can sometimes occur, and across the state, you will encounter every type of terrain except desert.