It's only about a 2 1/2 - to three-hour drive from Baltimore to the beach, if your destination is Ocean City or the Delaware shore. And if, of course, you don't hit major traffic.
If you head down the ocean during peak hours - Friday after 5 p.m. or early Saturday and Sunday morning - you'll definitely spend considerably more time in your car.
Instead of trying to make up time by driving nonstop (no breaks for you or any member of your family) or enduring a soul-crushing, mind-numbing eight-mile traffic backup in your car, why not take a break and make a few stops along the way?
Check out a produce stand or see a local artist in his or her studio. Visit one of the Chesapeake region's numerous beautiful parks and nature centers. They're all worth a little side trip and some extra time.
It will do you some good to get out of the car and stretch your legs, anyhow. And aren't you tired of fast food? Instead of gulping down a burger in 10 minutes, why not sit down for 30 and enjoy a decent meal?
Below are some places that are definitely worth checking out on your way to the shore. Don't worry about taking a little time off from the drive. After all, the ocean isn't going anywhere. It will still be there when you arrive.
(Note: All stops are in order as you make your way to Rehoboth and Dewey beaches in Delaware or Ocean City in Maryland.)
Section 1: These stops are from Baltimore to the intersection of routes 404 and 50.
1. Bay Bridge toll plaza: You have to stop to pay the toll, right? While you're there, pick up a free "Bay Game" for any kids in the car. They'll receive puzzles, games, stickers and clues relating to 15 interesting and important places relating to the Chesapeake Bay. As you make your way to the Maryland and Delaware beaches, the kids have to spot these places.
2. Stevensville: If you have to sit in a lot of traffic to cross the Bay Bridge, you'll probably need a break on the other side. Stevensville offers antiques, restaurants, a great pastry shop and numerous artists' studios. If you visit one of the latter, you can buy a piece of pottery and see the kiln where it was fired, or you can watch a watercolor being made and talk to the artist who created it.
Take the very first exit past the bridge, and head north on Route 8 to historic Stevensville. Follow the signs that point you to the area's main street. For more information, contact the Queen Anne's County Office of Tourism, 3100 Main St., Grasonville. 410-827-4810.
3. Cross Island Trail: You can stop at either end of this five-mile trail - at the Terrapin Park and Nature Center in Stevensville or the Chesapeake Exploration Area in Kent Narrows.
Terrapin Park includes more than 4,000 feet of shoreline and 73 acres of wetlands, making it a great destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. From the two observation blinds, you can see turtles, bullfrogs, herons, ospreys, swans and a variety of other birds.
The Chesapeake Exploration Area offers a nice diversion, with hiking and biking trails. There's also an information center that offers directions and travel suggestions for visitors.
To reach Terrapin Park, take Route 8 toward Stevensville. At the top of the exit ramp, make a left onto Route 8 at the light, crossing over Route 50. At the next traffic light (Skipjack Parkway), make a left into Chesapeake Bay Business Park. At the end of the road, make a left and follow the circle around the business park to Terrapin Park.
To reach the Chesapeake Exploration Area, follow Route 50 across Kent Island and exit at Kent Narrows. Park underneath the Route 50 bridge, located right next to the trail. For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 877-620-8DNR (8367).
4. Holly's Diner: At Holly's Motel and Diner, they've been serving weary (and not-so-weary) travelers heading to the beach for more than 30 years. Service is quick and you can get a real burger, instead of some mass-produced thing. Or you can enjoy a BLT or a chicken-salad sandwich like the ones Grandma used to make.
The diner is located at 108 Jackson Creek Road in Grasonville, Exit 43 off Route 50. Call 410-827-8711.
5. Prime Outlets of Queenstown: This is possibly the best darn place on the trip to use the restroom. Even the shopping center's Web site boasts that the place is a good pit stop. The facilities are clean and nice, and for some reason, you don't feel guilty using them without buying anything, the way you do in a fast-food restaurant.
If you do decide to shop (and why not?), you'll find everything from clothes, toys and shoes to gourmet food, perfumes and kitchen wares.
The Prime Outlets is located at 441 Outlet Center Drive, in Queenstown, 10 miles east of the Bay Bridge on Route 50. Call 410-827-8699.
Note: If you're headed to Delaware, some outlets worth investigating are the Rehoboth Outlets on Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth, Del. The outlets are actually three centers on Route 1 within three miles of each other. Since Delaware is the home of tax-free shopping, this is a bargain hunter's dream. Call 302-226-9223.
Section 2: Stops are from Route 404 to the Delaware shore.
6. Adkins Arboretum: Explore hiking trails, gardens and indoor and outdoor art exhibits. If you have a green thumb, stop by the free cutting garden. There are also native Eastern Shore plants for sale that thrive in beach climates, making this a great place to get stuff to spruce up your summer place. It's also another great place to heed the call of nature; the restrooms are immaculate.
The arboretum is at 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely. From 404 east, turn onto Route 480 heading north, then make an immediate left on to Eveland Road. Follow for two miles, then make a left through the main gate. Call 410-634-2878.
7. Jimmy's Grille: You know the old saying that you can tell a restaurant is good by the number of big rigs in the parking lot? Well, it's true in this case. Not only do the truckers stop at Jimmy's, but plenty of other people do, too; the parking lot is almost always full. But don't worry, there's plenty of room inside.
Jimmy's has serious, good, down-home grub such as chicken and dumplings, Eastern Shore-style fried chicken and soft-shelled crabs. And don't forget the pies and cakes made from scratch. Get a slice or buy the whole thing.
Jimmy's is at the intersection of Route 404 and U.S. 13 in Bridgeville, Del. Call 302-337-7575.
8. Goosebay Workshops: Artist Peter Goebel makes and sells reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century copper, tin and brass household items such as cups, bowls, writing utensils and games. Goebel is working on pieces to be used in the forthcoming Russell Crowe movie Far Side of the World, based on the 10th novel in the "Master and Commander" high-seas-adventure series by Patrick O'Brian.
The workshop is located at 10137 Seashore Highway (routes 404/18 east) in Bridgeville, Del. Call 302-337-0229.
9. Elmer's Produce: At Elmer's, you can find local cantaloupes and some of the best corn and tomatoes around, as well as plants and crafts. Elmer's is on routes 404/18 in Georgetown, Del. Call 302-337-8111.
10. Chicken BBQ: The Georgetown (Del.) Kiwanis Club has a chicken barbecue stand right on routes 404/18, on the outskirts of town, every single Saturday and Sunday this summer. Get your chicken to go or eat it standing up in the parking lot if you just can't wait. Look for the signs starting about five miles before the stand, which is on the right.
11. Nassau Valley Vineyards: Nassau Valley is Delaware's first winery, and until recently was the only winery in the state. Enjoy a five-gallery tour that focuses on the history of wine and the winemaking process, and sample several wines. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The winery is located at 36 Nassau Commons in Lewes, Del. From the intersection of routes 404 and 1, head north on Route 1 and follow the signs. Call 302-645-9463.
Section 3: Stops are from the intersection of routes 404 and 50 to Ocean City.
12. Jack's market: Jack's has plants, produce, crafts and a very large display of lawn ornaments, ranging from the tasteful to the tacky. See an army of garden gnomes, statues of the Blessed Mother ranging from 10 inches high to almost life-size, and gazing balls in every color of the rainbow. There also are stone alligators, dogs, lions, squirrels, Buddhas, dragons and sea captains. Take your pick.
Jack's is located at 26828 Ocean Gateway in Hebron (Route 50 on the left, past Route 347). Call 410-749-1889.
13. Spocott Windmill: Stop by and take a really neat picture of the only existing post windmill (looks like a windmill on a stick) used for grinding grain in Maryland.
Also on the property are a tenant farmhouse and a one-room schoolhouse. Under fair winds, the mill is still operated from time to time. It's located at 1600 Hudson Road (Route 343, six miles east of Cambridge). Call 410-228-7090.
14. The Country House: The owners of this establishment claim that it is the largest country store on the East Coast. They're probably right. With 23,000 square feet of retail space, it encompasses nearly an entire block. Items for ogling or buying include Yankee candles, furniture, quilts, dolls and Americana crafts.
The Country House is located at 805 E. Main St. in Salisbury. Turn right on Main from Route 50. Call 800-331-3602.
15. Berlin: See the town where the Julia Roberts movie Runaway Bride was filmed. Berlin is a pretty, scenic, quaint, old-time-America place with antiques shops, a historic hotel and an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor. Unfortunately, many shops are open only during the week, so plan accordingly. To get to the main area of town, take Route 113 from Route 50, past the Route 50/Route 90 split.
16. Assateague Island: Before you head over the Route 50 bridge (right before Ocean City), hang a right on Route 611 and go see the ponies. In addition to the horses and other wildlife on the island, Assateague offers a quiet beach area, a calm bay to swim in, and hiking and biking trails. You can also rent a bike or canoe or dig for your own clams.