Maryland @ AARoads - U.S. Highway 301 Southbound

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U.S. Highway 301 South - Maryland

U.S. 301 South
U.S. 301 (Middletown Warwick Road) crosses the Delaware state line into Maryland and quickly widens from a two-lane roadway into a four-lane divided highway. Designated the Blue Star Memorial Highway, U.S. 301 provides a through route for traffic interests between Wilmington, Delaware and Washington, D.C. Photo taken 09/25/04.

At-grade intersections advisory sign posted for the 40-mile drive from the Delaware state line near Warwick to junction U.S. 50 at Queenstown. U.S. 301 exists as a California style expressway throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland with several interchanges. There are no traffic lights at any of the at-grade intersections on U.S. 301, only caution flashers and stop signs for the intersecting directions. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Just about every intersection along U.S. 301 features freeway style guide signs. Pictured here is the 0.25-mile sign for junction Maryland 299 (Sassafras Road) in southern Cecil County. Maryland 299 originally continued north of U.S. 301 to the village of Warwick and into Delaware as Delaware 299. The highway was truncated to U.S. 301 and Maryland 282 now encompasses the former routing between the state line and Warwick. Sassafras Road between Warwick and Delaware 299 is not assigned a route number. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Maryland 299 southbound shield posted within the median of U.S. 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) for southbound. Maryland 299 travels Sassafras Road 0.75 miles to the hamlet of Sassafras in northern Kent County. Although not in view, a short frontage road (Edgar Price Road) stems northward from Maryland 299 to Levels Road in Delaware. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 southbound reassurance shield posted after the Maryland 299 (Sassafras Road) and Edgar Price Road intersection. Many secondary roads that approach U.S. 301 veer to parallel the federal highway to tie into intersecting roads rather than the four-lane highway itself. These adjustments help maintain U.S. 301 as a controlled-access expressway and limit development and intersections. Photo taken 09/25/04.

The one-half mile guide sign for the diamond interchange with Maryland 290 (Galena Sassafras road). Maryland 290 begins nearby at Maryland 299 (Sassafras Road) and crosses underneath U.S. 301. From there the state highway travels four miles west to junction Maryland 213 at the hamlet of Galena. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Southbound U.S. 301 at the diamond interchange with Maryland 290 (Galena Sassafras Road). Maryland 290 arcs southwest to Galena and Chesterville before returning to U.S. 301 between Pondtown and Dudley Corners. The state route constitutes 17.20 miles between Maryland 291 and Maryland 300. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Next in line for southbound motorists is the junction with Maryland 313 (Galena Road). Maryland 313 begins nearby in the community of Galena at the crossroads with Maryland 213 and 290. From there the state route travels two miles southeast to meet U.S. 301. Maryland 313 overall travels 75.72 miles between Galena and Mardela Springs through the Eastern Shore. The state highway continues one mile east of U.S. 301 to Massey and four mile south from there to Millington. Photo taken 09/25/04.

The intersection between U.S. 301 and Maryland 313 (Galena Road) is unusual in that cross traffic is prohibited. Travelers on Maryland 313 must turn onto U.S. 301 and use a U-turn lane to make the connection with the other side. So Maryland 313 southbound drivers must turn onto U.S. 301 south to U.S. 301 north to continue onward along Galena Road. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 southbound at the U-turn lane for Maryland 313 southbound travelers. As there are no left-hand turns permitted from Maryland 313 (Galena Road), motorists must also use the turnaround for the opposite directions of U.S. 301. A guide sign posted at the southbound u-turn lane features Wilmington as the northbound control city for U.S. 301. Photo taken 09/25/04.

The last junction of U.S. 301 within Kent County serves Maryland 291 (River Road) near the Queen Annes County line. An interchange facilitates the movements between the two highways two miles west of Millington and four miles east of Chesterville. Maryland 291 travels 18.57 miles east from Maryland 213 in Chestertown to the Delaware state line where the highway transitions into Delaware 6. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 crosses into Queen Annes County and intersects Maryland 544 (McGinnes Road) two miles south of junction Maryland 291. Maryland 544 links the federal highway with the nearby Maryland 313 (Millington Road) and the settlement of Unicorn. Photo taken 09/25/04.

A set of flashers cautions motorists of the intersection with Maryland 544 (McGinnes Road) on U.S. 301. Maryland 544 continues west on McGinnes Road two miles to junction Maryland 290 (Dudley Corners Road), four miles to McGinnes, and nine miles to its end at junction Maryland 213 (Church Hill Road). Photo taken 09/25/04.

Southbound U.S. 301 reassurance marker posted after the intersection with Maryland 544 (McGinnes Road). Photo taken 09/25/04.

Maryland 290 (Dudley Corners Road) returns to U.S. 301 in northern Queen Annes County. The state highway enters the county at Crumpton and continues south four miles through Pondtown to junction U.S. 301. A half-cloverleaf interchange joins the two highways one mile north of Dudley Corners. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Drivers bound for Maryland 290 (Dudley Corners Road) departs U.S. 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) southbound. Maryland 290 ends at Maryland 300 one mile to the south. Maryland 300 travels east from there two miles to Sudlersville and six miles to the Delaware state line and transition into Delaware 300. Photo taken 09/25/04.

A look at U.S. 301 southbound as it leaves the interchange with Maryland 290 (Dudley Corners Road). U.S. 301 meets Maryland 300 (Sudlersville Road) in two miles. Photo taken 09/25/04.

0.25-mile guide sign posted for the intersection with Maryland 300 (Sudlersville Road) on U.S. 301 southbound. Maryland 300 entails 13.55 miles of roadway between the Delaware state line and Maryland 213 (Church Hill Road) at Church Hill. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Southbound at the intersection with Maryland 300 (Sudlersville Road). Maryland 300 in conjunction with Delaware 300, Delaware 44, and Delaware 8 provides the main connection between the U.S. 301 corridor and the capital city of Dover, Delaware. Delaware 300 otherwise continues northeast from Maryland 300 11 miles to junction U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) at Smyrna, Delaware. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 remains an at-grade facility on the 20-mile drive between Maryland 300 and the merge with U.S. 50 at Queenstown. An advisory sign remains motorists of the upcoming at-grade intersections along the expressway. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Continuing southward on U.S. 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) to junction Maryland 302 (Barclay Road). Maryland 302 begins at U.S. 301 and ventures 10.21 miles east to the Delaware state line and transition into Delaware 11. The state highway reaches Barclay in four miles and Templeville in nine miles. Hall Road stems west from U.S. 301 & Maryland 302 to Church Hill. Photo taken 09/25/04.

One mile south of Maryland 302 (Barclay Road) is the junction with Maryland 19 (Roberts Station Road) on U.S. 301. Maryland 19 travels 8.60 miles southeast from Maryland 213 (Church Hill Road) at Church Hill to Maryland 313 (Sudlersville Goldsboro Road) at Ingleside. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 southbound at Maryland 19 (Roberts Station Road). Maryland 19 meets Maryland 405 (Price Station Road) two miles to the west and Church Hill Road in three miles. The state highway enters Roberts one mile to the east on the four mile drive to Ingleside. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Maryland 405 (Price Station Road) travels two miles south from Maryland 19 (Roberts Station Road) to meet U.S. 301 at Price. The state highway continues three miles south to Roe and six miles to junction Maryland 304 (Ruthsburg Road) near Bridgetown. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Entering the intersection with Maryland 405 (Price Station Road) on U.S. 301 south. Maryland 405 comprises 8.59 miles of pavement between Maryland 19 and Maryland 305. A tourist information center and rest area lies ahead on the four-mile drive between Maryland 405 and Maryland 305. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 southbound next meets Maryland 305 (Hope Road) at the community of Carville. Hope Roe Road stems two miles west from Maryland 405 (Price Station Road) at Roe to Hope where it upgrades to Maryland 305. Maryland 305 continues west along Hope Road two miles to Carville. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Southbound at Carville and junction Maryland 305 (Hope Road). Maryland 305 is a short state highway tallying only 5.08 miles between Hope (the intersection with Hayden and Dean Roads) and Maryland 213 (Church Hill Road) near Centreville. Photo taken 09/25/04.

One mile south of Carville is the junction with Maryland 304 (Ruthsburg Road) on U.S. 301. Maryland 304 travels 15.23 miles through Centreville, Ruthsburg, Bridgetown, and Baltimore Corner. The state highway has a disjointed segment west of Centreville along Corsica Neck Road. Photo taken 09/25/04.

U.S. 301 southbound at Maryland 304 (Ruthsburg Road). Maryland 304 ends at the Centreville town line as Water Street and resumes west of town along Corsica Neck Road. The Queen Annes County seat lies three miles to the west. East of U.S. 301, Maryland 305 reaches Ruthsburg in four miles and Bridgetown in nine miles. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Maryland 213 (Centreville Road) finally crosses paths with U.S. 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) just six miles east of Queenstown and the merge with U.S. 50. The former U.S. highway meanders 68.25 miles northward from U.S. 50 at Wye Mills to the Pennsylvania state line near Fair Hill. The highway locally serves Centreville and interests to U.S. 50 east such as Easton and Cambridge. Photo taken 09/25/04.

One half mile east from the partial-cloverleaf interchange with Maryland 213 (Centreville Road) on U.S. 301 south. The interchange between the two highways opened in the early 1990s to replace an at-grade intersection. Maryland 213 travels five miles south from U.S. 301 to its terminus at Maryland 662 in Wye Mills. Photo taken 09/25/04.

Traffic to Maryland 213 (Centreville Road) departs U.S. 301 southbound. Maryland 213 meets Maryland 18 (4H Park Road) two miles to the north before the transition onto Liberty Street in Centreville. Maryland 213 represents the former U.S. 213 corridor between Elkton and Ocean City. The federal route saw truncation from Ocean City to Wye Mills in 1948 to coincide with the extension of U.S. 50 east from Annapolis.¹ Photo taken 09/25/04.

Maryland 213 guide signs line the U.S. 301 southbound off-ramp. Maryland 213 serves the Eastern Shore communities of Centreville, Church Hill, Chestertown, Kennedyville, Cecilton, and Elkton to the north. The highway represents a four mile cut-off between U.S. 301 and U.S. 50 (Ocean Gateway) for the southern counties of the Eastern Shore, Salisbury, and Ocean City. Photo taken 09/25/04.

See U.S. Highway 50 / Interstate 595 Westbound for coverage of the U.S. 301 overlap between Queenstown and Bowie

Along the combined stretch of U.S. 301 and Maryland 5, traffic improvements include the installation of new signals, including the signal identified by this sign. Photo taken 06/01/04.
U.S. 301 and Maryland 5 prepare to divide: U.S. 301 continues south to La Plata, then onward over the Potomac River (Governor Nice) Bridge into Virginia, while Maryland 5 heads southeast to St. Mary's County. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Cedarville State Forest is located just east of this intersection and may be accessed via Maryland 5 south. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Use Maryland 5 to reach St. Mary's City and Point Lookout State Park. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound U.S. 301 reaches the left exit for southbound Maryland 5 to Lexington Park and Leonardtown. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound U.S. 301 approaches Maryland 228 west to Maryland 210/Indian Head Highway and Business Maryland 5 east to Waldorf and Beantown (Junction Maryland 5 south). Maryland 5 Business (Leonardtown Road) follows the original Maryland 5 alignment from Waldorf east to Beantown. Photo taken 06/01/04.
U.S. 301 (Robert Crain Highway) southbound at the eastern terminus of Maryland 228 (Berry Road). Maryland 228 represents a four-lane divided highway between Waldorf and Maryland 210 (Indian Head Highway) at Accokeek. The state highway travels 6.86 miles between the two highways. Photo taken 09/25/04.

This junction Maryland 225 shield assembly is located along southbound U.S. 301 just north of La Plata. Photo taken 06/01/04.
A southbound U.S. 301 reassurance shield is located after the Maryland 225 intersection. Photo taken 06/01/04.
This construction sign advises of progress made in helping the U.S. 301 corridor in the wake of the devastation resulting from an F5 Tornado on April 28, 2002. The tornado barrelled right through the heart of town, including right through the U.S. 301/Maryland 6 interchange. More info is available at La Plata Tornado 4/28/02. (Thanks to Jason Bourne, 07/01/04, for the corrected information.) Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound U.S. 301 approaches Maryland 234 near Allens Fresh, and Maryland 234/Budds Creek Road heads due east to Budds Creek, Chaptico, and Clements in St. Mary's County. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Maryland 234 reaches its eastern terminus at its junction with Maryland 5 northwest of Leonardtown. Photo taken 06/01/04.
A Maryland 234 shield is placed here, just before a yellow warning sign for Budds Creek Road. Photo taken 06/01/04.
This southbound U.S. 301 shield is located after the intersection with Maryland 234. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound U.S. 301 approaches Maryland 257 in Newburg, and Maryland 257 heads southeast to Tompkinsville, Rook Point, and Cobb Island. Photo taken 06/01/04.

This suite of photos shows the U.S. 301 south crossing of the Potomac River via the Governor Harry W. Nice Bridge. Opened in December 1940, the Nice Bridge extends 1.7 miles across the river between Morgantown and Dahlgren, Virginia. The toll is assessed in the southbound direction only, at a cost of $3 per vehicle. A welcome center for Maryland is located just prior to the toll booth. Only two lanes wide with no shoulders, the bridge is very narrow and carries a good amount of traffic. U.S. 301 is a four-lane, divided highway on both the south and north approaches to the bridge. There is no space for emergency stopping, but there is a rest area/welcome center at the south end of the bridge in Virginia. After a high rise section, the bridge follows a causeway into Virginia. Photo taken 06/01/04.

The Nice Bridge remains within Maryland for nearly its entire length, as the state line between Maryland and Virginia is located on the southwestern bank of the river. Photo taken 06/01/04.
U.S. 301 southbound prepares to enter Virginia as the causeway reaches the Virginia bank of the Potomac River. The highway continues south toward Richmond. Photo taken 06/01/04.
See U.S. Highway 50 / Interstate 595 Eastbound for coverage of the U.S. 301 overlap between Bowie and Queenstown

Sources:

Ends of U.S. Highway 50, 50-N, and 50-S, Dale Sanderson.

End of U.S. Highway 301, Dale Sanderson.

Page Updated July 31, 2005.