World City Guide

Getting There By Road

The motorway (interstate and freeway) network in America is very good. The general rule for numbering on US freeways and interstates is that the odd numbers go north–south and the even numbers go east–west over the whole length, although at any single, localised point this may seem different. Interstate roads are designated by the letter ‘I’ and a corresponding number.

Driving is on the right. The speed limits on the different motorways can vary. The general maximum is 90kph (55mph), with some spots in and around Baltimore being 105kph (65mph). Speed limits in residential areas can be as slow as 30kph (20mph), with specifically posted limits near schools. It is illegal to pass a yellow ‘School Bus’ when it is stationary with its lights flashing. Seatbelts are obligatory for front-seat passengers. Prosecution for drink-driving is severe – the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.10%.

The legal driving age in Baltimore is 16 years. A British driving licence is valid, although a temporary International Driving Permit is also a good idea. Third party insurance is mandatory, although it is highly recommended for driving visitors to ensure that they have adequate travel medical insurance, as the cost of medical treatment in the USA is huge.

Petrol (‘gas’) is about three times cheaper in the US than it is in Europe. Many ‘gas stations’ situated on main roads are open 24 hours a day and operate a pre-pay system at the pumps using a credit card – otherwise, it is necessary for drivers to make themselves known to the cashier.

The American Automobile Association – AAA (tel: (800) 763 9900; website: www.aaamidatlantic.com) provides emergency service and information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service:
AAA (800) AAA HELP or 222 4357

Routes to the city: All the major routes approaching Baltimore meet the I-695, called the Baltimore Beltway, which circles the city. The Jones Falls Expressway (the I-83) winds right into the central Inner Harbor district, from the north and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The I-395 comes in from the southeast, with good access to Downtown Baltimore and to the Port of Baltimore. The Baltimore National Pike road (US Route 40) comes in from the west, from Frederick. The I-95 comes from the northwest, Philadelphia and beyond that, from New York. The I-95 continues southwest toward Washington, DC, running parallel to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The I-97 leads in from the south as the main route linking Baltimore to Annapolis. The I-895, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway, bypasses Downtown.

Tolls operate at the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), at the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) and both north- and southbound at the Francis Scott Key Bridge (part of the Baltimore Beltway). There are also tolls northbound on the John F Kennedy Memorial Highway (part of I-95).

Approximate driving times to Baltimore: From Washington, DC – 45 to 60 minutes; Philadelphia – 2 hours; Harrisburg – 1 hour 30 minutes; New York – 4 hours.

Coach services: Greyhound (tel: (800) 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) operates frequent coach services, connecting Baltimore with all major US and Canadian cities. The main bus station, Downtown Baltimore Terminal, 210 West Fayette Street (tel: (410) 752 7682), is situated in quite a run-down area, although it is busy during the day. There is a second, less frequented station point at the Baltimore Travel Plaza, Best Western Hotel, 5625 O’Donnell Street (tel: (410) 633 6389).