Maryland 281 (Red Hill Road) provides the main route eastward out of downtown Elkton to the eastern reaches of the town area. The state route continues east of Maryland 781 (Delancy Road) into the state of Delaware as Old Baltimore Pike. Old Baltimore Pike is a growing corridor within the Newark area of Delaware and thus the Maryland 281 and Old Baltimore Pike alignment grows with development and traffic counts every year. Old Baltimore Pike however does not continue the Maryland 281 numbering convention into Delaware.
Western Terminus
Eastern Terminus
Road Names
Mileage
Maryland 7 - downtown Elkton
Delaware state line (Old Baltimore Pike)
E. Main Street, Red Hill Road
2.12
Western Terminus - Maryland 7 (Delaware Avenue at Main Street)
Maryland 7 eastbound turns southward onto Delaware Avenue to rejoin Maryland 7 west at Howard Street. Maryland 281 begins and continues Main Street eastward to the Big Elk Creek crossing toward the east end of town. There Maryland 281 ascends Red Hill Road toward junction Maryland 781 (Delancy Road) and the state of Delaware. Maryland 281 becomes Old Baltimore Pike once it crosses into the Diamond State. Photo taken 05/21/07.
At Howard Street Maryland 7 westbound departs Delaware Avenue for Bridge Street. Maryland 7 eastbound travels Mail Street from Maryland 213 east to Delaware Avenue and junction Maryland 281. Use Delaware Avenue northbound for Maryland 281 (Main Street / Red Hill Road) eastbound or for South Street and Locust Lane north. Main Street is one-way eastbound only between Bridge Street and Church Street. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Eastern Terminus - Delaware state line (Old Baltimore Pike)
Old Baltimore Pike travels 2.5 miles west of Delaware 896 to become Maryland 281 (Red Hill Road) at the Delaware / Maryland state line. The two-lane highway continues westward 0.3 miles to Maryland 781 and 2.1 miles to downtown Elkton. Old Baltimore Pike, Maryland 281, and nearby Otts Chapel Road provide alternate routes for traffic to Elkton from Newark. Photo taken 10/13/04.
Maryland 281 2003 Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT)
5,950 - 0.50 miles east of Maryland 7 (Delaware Avenue)
Source: 2003 Highway Location Reference file for Cecil County (MDSHA)
Maryland 281 Guide
Maryland 281 East
Maryland 281 (Red Hill Road) eastbound after leaving the town of Elkton and approaching junction Maryland 781 (Delancy Road). Maryland 781 provides a 1.01-mile connector between Maryland 281 and U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) near the Delaware state line. Photo taken 05/21/07.
A set of mast-arm supported traffic lights govern the movements of Maryland 281 (Red Hill Road) at Maryland 781 (Delancy Road). Maryland 781, a narrow two-lane road, serves growing suburban areas of east Elkton on the drive southward to U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway). Photos taken 05/21/07.
Maryland 281 West
Junction Maryland 781 shield posted on Maryland 281 (Red Hill Road) westbound ahead of its intersection with Delancy Road. Maryland 281 travels 2.10 miles between Old Baltimore Pike south of Newark to downtown Elkton. Maryland 781 siphons a good portion of the traffic however as many drivers use Maryland 281 and 781 as a short cut to U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway). Photo taken 10/13/04.
Mast arm traffic light assembly at Maryland 281's junction with Maryland 781. This light was installed at the Red Hill and Delancy Road intersection in the mid 1990s replacing a stop sign for Maryland 781 north. Notice the one-piece Maryland 781 south and U.S. 40 trailblazer. Delancy Road travels one mile south to U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway). Photo taken 10/13/04.
