You can make Washington to Ocean City in about 3 hours, but the people who love this drive never do it in one straight shot. At around 145 miles on US-50, it is short enough to start after breakfast and long enough to earn a night somewhere memorable close to the park gates.
Open this route in XCRSNLeaving Washington
Aim to clear Washington before the morning rush, or after it, never in it. Fill the tank on the edge of town where prices usually drop, set the playlist, and settle in for the first 32 miles to Annapolis.
The headline stop on this route is Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Leave real time for it; it sets the tone for the whole trip.
Annapolis
Annapolis sits about 32 miles in. It makes a good spot to stretch, eat something that is not from a gas station, and swap drivers.
Nearby, Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is worth the short detour if the day is going well.
Rehoboth Beach, the last stretch
Rehoboth Beach sits about 116 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Rolling into Ocean City
The final 29 miles always go faster than you expect. Save a little energy for Ocean City boardwalk and Assateague ponies; it is a fitting finish.
By the end you will have seen Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Rehoboth Beach boardwalk and Ocean City boardwalk and Assateague ponies, and you will understand why this corridor is a classic.
When to go and how to pace it
One night is the sweet spot. Ocean City, MD or Rehoboth Beach, DE is where most people stay, so book ahead on summer weekends.
Check live gas prices along US-50 before you go; they can swing a lot from one state or county to the next. XCRSN prices every leg for your exact car.
