Maryland Driving: Beltway Gridlock, Bay Bridge Lines and Western Snow

Baltimore's traffic is organized around I-95, the I-695 Beltway, I-83 and the tunnels and bridges that cross the harbor. Rowhouse neighborhoods such as Federal Hill, Canton and Hampden have narrow streets, alley access and competition for curb space, and winter potholes are a real hazard to tires and alignment. The city's harbor crossings have been disrupted in recent years, so check Maryland DOT and the Maryland Transportation Authority for current conditions and any restrictions on certain cargo.

A compact SUV works well on rowhouse blocks. The Compass is 173.4 inches long and 73.8 inches wide with the mirrors folded, a size that helps with curbside parking. The Cherokee hybrid, at up to 39 mpg city by Jeep's estimate, softens the cost of long stop-and-go. A buyer who wants a bigger, comfortable highway vehicle for I-95 to Washington can look at the Grand Cherokee from $39,730. Pick tires with enough sidewall to absorb potholes, since large-wheel trims are more exposed. Delivery and trade businesses working in the city should look at the ProMaster City at $37,400, whose 129-inch wheelbase and turning diameter just over 42 feet suit alleys and tight loading docks.

The Chesapeake Bay shapes life in Annapolis, Kent Island, Solomons and Havre de Grace. Sailboats, powerboats, crab boats and charter fishing boats keep trailers on the road all summer, and Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the country. The Bay Bridge on US-50/301 is the choke point between the Western Shore and the Eastern Shore, and weekend lines back up in both directions during beach season.

Boat owners should pay attention to tow ratings and brakes. The Durango tows 7,200 pounds standard and 8,700 with Tow 'n Go, enough for most cruisers and larger center consoles on a trailer. The Ram 1500 tows up to 11,530 pounds, and the Grand Cherokee 6,200. Ramps on tidal rivers are slippery, so four-wheel drive helps, and brackish water is hard on brakes and bearings. Rinse the trailer and vehicle afterward. Annapolis's old streets are narrow and the harbor area is tight on parking, so a Cherokee at 188.1 inches handles it better than a full-size SUV. Plan Bay Bridge crossings away from Friday afternoons, and check the Maryland Transportation Authority for lane and wind advisories before towing a tall boat across.

Past the Bay Bridge, Maryland becomes flat farmland, poultry houses, tidewater villages and long marsh views. US-50 carries beach traffic toward Ocean City, with Salisbury as the regional hub, while US-13 and MD-90 bring more cars from the south. On summer Fridays, expect slow miles around Berlin and Ocean Pines. Ocean City itself is a narrow barrier island with one dominant road, Coastal Highway, and dense parking.

Vehicles here need to be easy to park and comfortable in traffic. The Compass starts at $29,990 and has a 36.3-foot turning diameter, good for resort lots. Families heading to a rental house for a week will appreciate the Pacifica's 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Anglers who surf-fish at Assateague or Ocean City need to check National Park Service and Maryland state rules for off-road vehicle use before assuming the beach is open; a Wrangler or Gladiator with 4x4 is the typical choice where it is allowed. Because the Shore is flat and tide-driven, storm surge and nor'easters flood roads and parking lots, so rinse salt off the vehicle after each beach day. Farm and poultry haulers lean on the heavy-duty Ram models, from the 2500 at $48,040.

Maryland's panhandle has a different climate. Frederick and Hagerstown sit in a valley with moderate weather, but west of Cumberland the mountains rise quickly, and Garrett County around Deep Creek Lake collects serious snow most winters. I-70, I-68 and the National Road wind through grades, fog and ice, and blowing snow can close mountain passes. Skiers and lake-house owners need reliable traction.

For winter driving, four-wheel drive and good tires matter most. Every Cherokee comes with Active Drive II 4x4, and the Compass has Jeep Active Drive 4x4 standard on every trim. The Grand Cherokee lists 4x4 as standard on Limited Reserve, Summit and Trailhawk, and optional on lower trims. Trucks such as the Ram 1500 4x4 and the Gladiator handle ski-cabin driveways and plow berms. Remote start, listed on the Ram 1500, helps with defrosting at the trailhead. Carry a shovel and a blanket, and fill the tank before you leave Frederick, since fuel and cell signal can be sparse on mountain stretches. Check the Maryland State Highway Administration for road conditions during storms.