Site Navigation Cecil County Highways Delaware District of Columbia Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia     Maryland 272 Beginning at Turkey Point within Elk Neck State Park, Maryland 272 spurs 12 miles south of North East along a peninsula to the northern reaches of Chesapeake Bay. The scenic Turkey Point and Turkey Point Lighthouse situated between the Elk and North East Rivers west of Crystal Beach. Elk Neck State Park provides hiking, swimming, fishing, and camping opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. The North East River is fed by the North East Creek which passes by the historic town of North East. There Maryland 272 splits between the one-way street couplet of Main and Mauldin Streets. Downtown North East is home to several gift shops, antique stores, and seafood restaurants specializing in Maryland blue crab. Continuing northward from North East, Maryland 272 is a busy route to U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) and the Exit 100 partial-cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 95. Maryland 274 (Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway) ties into Maryland 272 (North East Road) at the campus of Cecil County Community College north of Interstate 95. Maryland 272 resembles other rural highways in northern Cecil County as it treks northward to Maryland 273 and the Pennsylvania state line. Pennsylvania 272 continues the designation northward from the border to Nottingham and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Southern Terminus Northern Terminus Road Names Mileage Elk Neck State Park/Turkey Point Pennsylvania state line (Pennsylvania 272) Turkey Point Road, Main Street, Mauldin Avenue, North East Road, Chrome Road 20.67 Southern Terminus - Turkey Point in Elk Neck State Park Maryland 272 (Turkey Point Road) ends at a gravel parking area for Elk Neck State Park. The parking area ties into several trails that lead southward to Turkey Point Lighthouse along the Chesapeake Bay. The gravel road rises to the pavement at Basil Avenue where Maryland 272 begins. Photo taken 04/24/04. The first Maryland 272 reassurance shield is not posted until approximately three miles north of Turkey Point. Elk Neck State Park is split between two parcels with a residential area in between. The scene here resides in the northern portion of the park. Photo taken 08/10/04. Northern Terminus - Pennsylvania State line as Pennsylvania 272 Welcome to Pennsylvania sign posted at the Maryland 272 transition to Pennsylvania on Chrome Road. The community of Chrome resides 0.8 miles north at the five point intersection with Christine Road (Pennsylvania 272), Barnsley Chrome Road, and Greenhouse Road. Photo taken 10/09/01. Maryland 272 2003 Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) 1,425 - Turkey Point to Bennett Avenue 3,825 - Bennett Avenue to Cara Cove Road 15,825 - Cara Cove Road to Maryland 7 (Cecil Avenue) 14,625 - Maryland 7 to U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) 20,425 - U.S. 40 to Interstate 95 19,725 - Interstate 95 to Maryland 274 10,125 - Maryland 274 to Waburton Road 8,925 - Waburton Road to Maryland 273 6,925 - Maryland 273 to Pennsylvania state line Source: 2003 Highway Location Reference file for Cecil County (MDSHA) Maryland 272 Guide Maryland 272 North Scenery abounds on the rolling hills of Maryland 272 (Turkey Point Road) within Elk Neck State Park. The 2,188 acre park features boat launches, cabins, campsites, fishing, flatwater canoeing, hiking trails, hunting, and swimming. Beware of speeding though as the Park Rangers do patrol Maryland 272 for speeding. In the distance of the second photograph is a ranger with a motorist pulled over. Photos taken 04/24/04. Maryland 272 (Turkey Point Road) splits into Mauldin Street (northbound) and Main Street (southbound) upon entering the incorporated town of North East. The partition occurs ahead of the intersection with Irishtown Road. Photo taken 04/24/04. Construction results in street scaping of Maryland 272 through the town of North East. A southbound trailblazer is posted for Thomas Avenue, the first of five cross streets between Main and Mauldin Streets. Photo taken 04/24/04. Mauldin Avenue northbound reassurance shield of Maryland 272 on the block between Thomas Avenue and Church Street. The commercial district of town encompasses Main Street between Maryland 7 (Cecil Avenue) and Thomas Avenue to the west. Photo taken 04/24/04. The only two traffic lights in town govern the intersections of Maryland 272 with Maryland 7 (Cecil Avenue) on the north side of downtown. Pictured here is Mauldin Street northbound at Cecil Avenue. Maryland 7 follows the original U.S. 40 alignment (Old Philadelphia Road) between Charlestown and Elkton. Photo taken 03/28/04. Mauldin Avenue reduces to two lanes in anticipation of its merge with Main Street north of Maryland 7 (Cecil Avenue). Maryland 272 follows North East Road over the AMTRAK Northeast Corridor as it exits North East. Photo taken 04/24/04. Approaching the commercialized junction with U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) on Maryland 272 (North East Road) northbound. U.S. 40 is the main east-west artery between Perryville, North East, and Elkton. The federal route is vastly rural outside of these communities however. Photo taken 04/24/04. Maryland 272 (North East Road) crosses over the CSX Railroad line in between U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) and junction Interstate 95 (John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway). The two-lane highway widens to four lanes for its interchange with the turnpike below. Development results in new hotels and amenities at the junction. Photo taken 04/24/04. Guide sign for the partial-cloverleaf interchange between Maryland 272 (North East Road) and Interstate 95. Construction added a westbound collector/distributor lane and two loop ramps to the previously diamond interchange. Note the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway designation on the guide sign. Many signs for Interstate 95 in northeastern Maryland omit this distinction. Photo taken 04/24/04. Overhead at the 2002 opened cloverleaf ramp onto Interstate 95 southbound for Perryville, Havre De Grace, Aberdeen, and Baltimore. Interstate 95 consists of six overall lanes throughout Cecil County and sees three interchanges between the Susquehanna River and Delaware state line. Photo taken 04/24/04. The southern terminus of Maryland 274 (Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway) occurs just north of Interstate 95 (Exit 100) adjacent to Cecil County Community College. Maryland 274 stems northwest from Maryland 272 to Rising Sun and junction Maryland 273. Photo taken 04/24/04. Maryland 272 (North East Road) at the northbound beginning of Maryland 274 (Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway) and Seahawk Drive for Cecil County Community College. Maryland 274 migrates five miles northwest to Farmington and 7.5 miles to its conclusion in downtown Rising Sun. Photo taken 05/21/07. The next northbound Maryland 272 reassurance shield posted on North East Road after Maryland 274 includes a companion Maryland 274 Truck sign. Maryland 272 continues northward amid rolling hills 4.8 miles to junction Maryland 273 (Telegraph Road). Photo taken 04/24/04. Just beyond the Maryland 274 intersection is the original Gilpins Falls Covered Bridge along the northbound side of Maryland 272 (North East Road). Built in 1860 at a length of 119 feet, the bridge was and is the longest covered bridge in the state. Visitors may still cross the span on foot. Photo taken 05/21/07. Maryland 272 South Interstate 95 trailblazer posted on North East Road southbound between Warburton Road and Maryland 274 (Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway). The Interstate 95 sign directs motorists from Maryland 273 to the Exit 93 interchange near North East. Out of view to the left is a preserved covered bridge. The state named Interstate 95 shield is one of only a handful left within Cecil County. Photo taken 07/25/04. Maryland 272 (North East Road) southbound at the southern terminus of Maryland 274 (Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway). Maryland 274 carries U.S. 1 & 222 drivers southeast from Rising Sun to the Interstate 95 and U.S. 40 corridors at North East. Cecil County Community College's main campus resides to the left. Photo taken 07/25/04. North East Road expands to four overall lanes as it crosses above Interstate 95 (John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway). The six-lane freeway travels nine miles east to its next interchange at Maryland 279 (Exit 109) and seven miles westward to Perryville (Exit 93 - Maryland 222. Photo taken 03/28/04. Maryland 272 (North East Road) partitions into Main Street (southbound) and Mauldin Street) northbound as it enters the town of North East. Soon after spliting, the southbound direction of Maryland 272 intersects Maryland 7 (Cecil Avenue). North East lies two miles south of Interstate 95 and one half mile south of U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway). Photo taken 03/28/04. Southbound Maryland 272 reassurance shield posted on Main Street in downtown North East. A street scaping and beautification project results in the improvement of the Main Street shopping and restaurant district. Visit the North East Chamber of Commerce website for more information. Photo taken 03/28/04. Nearing the merge of Main and Mauldin Streets at the south end of North East. Maryland 272 intersects Irish Town Road and Cherry Street before transitioning into the two-lane Turkey Point Road. Turkey Point Road carries the state highway 12 miles southward into Elk Neck State Park. Photo taken 08/10/04. Maryland 272 rolls through Elk Neck State Park en route to Turkey Point. The state route slows to 35 MPH within the park grounds as it winds through forest nestled along the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Photo taken 04/24/04. Page Updated October 24, 2007.