Baltimore, MD Driving Tips
When driving in Baltimore City, make sure you have a GPS handy. I would also recommend that anyone visiting looks at the directions ahead of time. Since there are parts of Baltimore City with low reception, it is not uncommon to lose GPS signal for very short periods of time.
My second recommendat
... (more)
ion is that drivers invest in an EZ-Pass or be prepared to pay tolls. Major highways and tunnels in Baltimore City/County tend to have tolls associated with them. Specifically, if drivers plan to take I-95 or 895 into Baltimore City or County, they should carry at minimum $8.00 Cash for round trip (entry and exit) in/out of these tunnels. EZ-Pass is the way to go for frequent travelers.
Lastly, and most importantly, WATCH FOR POT HOLES. The city is full of pot holes throughout the year, but it tend to be worse in the winter/post winter months.
Baltimore, MD Buying Tips
There are several cities in Baltimore County where interested consumers can go to purchase a car. For example, Timonium, MD and Towson, MD have several car dealerships, all located along York Road. These are usually major dealerships owned by very large, commonly known car manufacturers. There are a
... (more)
lso luxury dealerships in these areas.
There are also several small used car lots along Pulaski Highway in Baltimore County.
I have not seen too many dealerships in Baltimore City, as the City offers a wide range of public transportation: bus, metro, MARC train, taxi, etc.
Favorite Driving Memory
Growing up near Washington, DC, I thoroughly love driving in Baltimore. Living in the DC, MD, VA metropolitan area has given me an appreciation for the "grid style" city streets of Baltimore. I do not have a great sense of direction, therefore, being able to make three consecutive right or left turn
... (more)
s to get back on track is very useful. When I first moved to Baltimore several years ago, I really appreciated that everything is generally easy to find.
With regard to traffic, living in Baltimore County vice Baltimore City has worked out in my favor. During the 6 years that I spent living in Baltimore City, I found that driving was not always so simply during peak rush hours. Baltimore County, however, offers enough road space to minimize congestion during these times and the beltways and interstates lead directly into ideal locations in the city.
Favorite Road
Pulaski Hwy/Rt 40
-
I've driven Route 40 several times from way up north in Havre De Grace, MD where it is known as Philadelphia Road down to where the Route meets Baltimore City and it is called Orleans Street. Either way, to me Route 40 is considered Pulaski Highway.
I enjoy driving Pulaski Highway because it is th
... (more)
e "one stop shop" of streets during my commute. Although I can choose to take the (faster) Interstate 95 home, there are times that I need to run several errands. On Pulaski Hwy, drivers can find everything from fast food to grocery store, toys stores, department stores, gas stations, and so much more.
Although the route is pegged with lights, the route is very convenient for getting things done without going too far out of the way. And, at anytime, drivers can hit the interstate from various roads that branch off of route 40.
Baltimore, MD Driving Tips
To maximize the driving experience in this city, I strongly suggest planning ahead. Utilize all of your resources to plan the perfect driving experience. Watch the news and make sure you know where the traffic back ups are coming from so you don't get stuck. I also suggest you use your gps on your p
... (more)
hone so you can get around accidents, police traps and construction. Also, on the busy days where there are functions going on in the city. I suggest that you use an uber or lyft driver to get you around that way you don't have to worry about the traffic or trying to find parking. Uber has turned out to be very productive when it comes to getting around the city.
Baltimore, MD Buying Tips
I do not suggest buying a car in this city. Only reason I say this is because there are plenty of great deals online that a lot of people don't take advantage of.
Favorite Driving Memory
One of my favorite memories when driving in this city is when every one didn't have a car. It was so much fun to travel from one side of the town to the other side without having to sit in 45 minutes to an hour worth of traffic. When I first started driving, I was able to go from Pikesville to Hunt
... (more)
Valley in a little under 15 minutes, now it takes me about 30 to 45 minutes to get there. I just wish there were designated times that people went out and drove instead of them going out at the same time. Oh and what helps with keeping the traffic down is when the state isn't working on the road all of the time. At any given time, you can find construction sites all around 695 that causes the traffic to back up. This is a pain!
Favorite Road
Philadelphia Road.
-
This is my favorite road to drive on because at any given time of day, there is no traffic at all. I can leave out at 5pm and drive without the headache of being stuck at the same light for 3 turns. I can get from Baltimore county to Baltimore City in about 10-15 minutes. I don't like using the belt
... (more)
way as much as I did because of the constant construction and traffic jams.
Baltimore, MD Driving Tips
Plan your parking well in advance. The cost of garages is insane, if you go for a sporting event you're going to pay 20 bucks for parking close to the event. If you're smart and willing to walk a couple of extra blocks, the prices drops dramatically. Try and part on the outskirts and take a bus or c
... (more)
ab in, and spare yourself the headache.
Baltimore, MD Buying Tips
Size matters. There are some very tight parking spots so if you aren't the best at parallel parking you're going to want a Honda or Kia sedan or coupe to make your life easier. Many of the main roads are riddled with huge potholes or street plates, so always keep your eyes on the road unless you wan
... (more)
t to ruin you tires.
Favorite Driving Memory
My favorite memory of driving comes from when I was in graduate school. It was Thanksgiving and a bunch of my friends were from out of state and couldn't get home to their families so I decided to cook thanksgiving dinner for them. I made a turkey, kept it in the roaster, and put it in my backseat.
... (more)
Well driving down Lombard street I hit a massive pothole, no clue how I didn't see it. I look in my rearview mirror and see this wall of gravy coming towards me from my now airborne turkey. The gravy covers my car, we couldn't get the smell out for months but everyone who saw my car just started laughing so hard that they cried.
Favorite Road
Charles Street
-
It's a great street for scenery and things to do. There are a bunch of museums on this street, along with plenty of restaurants, shops and other touristy things to do. If you start in the city you will go past the Walters Art Gallery, The Charles Theater, the Ottobar, Brewer's Art, etc. Then you can
... (more)
follow it all the way out of the city past Hopkins through some nice neighborhoods with great houses and two colleges that I know off. The road is never in terrible shape unlike a bunch of other roads in the city, it's actually a pleasant drive.
