Interstate 97

Interstate 97 Maryland
Annapolis, MD ↔ Baltimore, MD•17.62 miles•0 Branch Routes

Overview

I-97 is the shortest two-digit Interstate in the 48 contiguous states. With only 17 miles, I-97 also lies wholly within Anne Arundel County. Connecting U.S. 50/301 (John Hansen Highway) with Interstate 695 along the Baltimore Beltway, it generally serves as a commuter route between Baltimore and Annapolis.

Two freeways make up the alignment of Interstate 97: the Glen Burnie Bypass (former MD 3) to the north, and the former eastern extent of MD 32 to the south. The north end includes a direct connection with I-895 Spur to the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.

Mileage by State

Maryland17.62 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2025 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

Parallel U.S. Routes

Interstate 97 replaced portions of MD 3, which was the northernmost extent of U.S. 301 until 1960, when it was redirected to end at Glasgow, Delaware.

History

The Annapolis Expressway (MD 10) was first proposed as the freeway route between Annapolis and Baltimore. Studied initially in 1956, MD 10 was to run southeast along side MD 2 to U.S. 50. Community opposition halted work on the expressway south of Pasadena in the late 1970s, leading to a cancellation of those sections. The remainder north from MD 2 to I-695 was finally completed on March 2, 1991.4

During the 1970s, Maryland proposed routes for both I-68 and Interstate 97 in the Annapolis area. I-68 was planned for U.S. 50 between the Capital Beltway and a point west of Annapolis. I-97 was projected for a north to south route from the end of I-68 to the Baltimore Beltway. In addition, the freeway along U.S. 50 east from I-68 and I-97 to the present end of I-595, was incorporated as Interstate 197. Interstate 297 was also introduced as the replacement for MD 3, from U.S. 50/301 north to MD 32. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved I-97 north of U.S. 50 and I-297 on November 15, 1975. Conditional approval was granted to I-197 and to the I-68 segment as an extension of I-97.

Further changes from Maryland regarding Interstate 97 were submitted to AASHTO on October 3, 1981. Again Interstate 68 was proposed in place of I-97 for the U.S. 50 freeway between the Capital Beltway and the previously referenced point west of Annapolis. The I-197 spur east from there to MD 70 was then proposed as Interstate 168. These changes were approved AASHTO by subject to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) concurrence. Interstate 197 was never signed, Interstate 297 was never built, and by 1989, both proposed I-68 and I-168 were instead renumbered as Interstate 595.

The Glen Burnie Bypass was constructed during the 1960s as a new alignment for MD 3. This resulted in the designation of MD 3 Business, which still runs east of I-97 along Crain Highway. The freeway south from the MD 3/ 32 intersection to U.S. 50/301 opened to traffic in 19891

Construction for Interstate 97 between Dorrs Corner (MD 178) and New Cut Road (Exit 12) ran from 1988 to February 13, 1991. The $31 million project wrapped up with the opening of the new northbound lanes through the Millersville area.2

Portions of old MD 3 were converted into an east side frontage road (Veterans Highway) along the newly opened Interstate 97 in 1991.2 A traffic light on I-97 at Old Mill Road remained in operation along this stretch until July 2, 1991, as work to convert Veterans Highway to two-way traffic was delayed by six weeks.3

Baltmore, MD area - 1966
The 1966 Maryland Official Highway Map showed the path of the Arundel Expressway, the predecessor to Interstate 97, as slated for completion in 1969.
I-97 Maryland - 1989
I-97 first appeared in the 1989 edition of the Rand McNally North American Road Atlas. Interstate 97 was constructed as a stand alone freeway parallel to MD 178 southeast from MD 3/32 to U.S. 50/301. The remainder replaced MD 3 along both Crain Highway and the Glen Burnie Bypass.

North End Interstate 695 Interstate 895 Spur ‐ Baltimore, MD

Interstate 97 North at Interstate 695 Interstate 895 Spur

I-97 north one mile ahead of I-695 in Ferndale, MD.

Interstate 97 progresses through Ferndale with three northbound lanes to Exit 17 with the Baltimore Beltway. 12/21/22

I-97 north one mile ahead of I-695 in Ferndale, MD. I-895 Spur extends north from I-97 to the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway. I-695 connects I-97 with the Port of Baltimore. I-97 north ahead of the Baltimore Beltway. I-97 north at I-695 west to Baltimore and Catonsville, MD. I-97 north ends at I-695 and I-895 Spur in Ferndale, MD.

Interstate 695 West at Interstate 97

I-695 west at I-97 - Brooklyn Park, MD

Advancing one mile to Interstate 97, a c/d roadway accompanies I-695 west through the exchange with MD 10 (Arundel Expressway) south to MD 2 (Govenor Ritchie Highway) north into Brooklyn Park. 01/04/19

I-695 west at I-97 - Brooklyn Park, MD I-695 west at I-97 - Brooklyn Park, MD I-695 west between I-895 Spur and I-97 at Brooklyn Park, MD. I-695 west at I-97 south to Glen Burnie, MD.

Interstate 695 East at Interstate 97

I-695 east at MD 295, 1.5 miles from I-97 at Linthicum Heights.

Interstate 695 arcs southeast from MD 295 (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) between the Linthicum Heights and Pumphrey communities to I-97 at Exit 4. 12/21/22

I-695 east at MD 295, 1.5 miles from I-97 at Linthicum Heights. I-695 east ahead of MD 170 to Linthicum and I-97 to Annapolis. I-695 east at MD 170, a half mile from I-97 in Linthicum. I-695 east at I-97 south and MD 648 at Linthicum Heights. I-695 east at I-97 south to Glen Burnie, MD.

Interstate 97 South

I-97 south of I-695 at Ferndale, MD.

The first confirming marker for Interstate 97 appears at the W Furnace Branch Road underpass in Ferndale, just south of I-695.

South End Interstate 595 U.S. 50 U.S. 301 ‐ Annapolis, MD

Interstate 97 South at Interstate 595 U.S. 50 U.S. 301

I-97 south one mile ahead of I-595/US 50-301 near Parole, MD.

Interstate 97 navigates southeast through a series of S-curves through wood land areas toward U.S. 50/301 (John Hanson Highway) at Exit 1. 12/21/22

I-97 south one mile ahead of I-595/US 50-301 near Parole, MD. I-97 south ahead of US 50/301 in Anne Arundel County, MD. I-97 south ends in a half mile. Traffic partitions from I-97 south for I-595/US 50-301 at Parole, MD. I-97 south at US 50/301 east to the Bay Bridge and MD 665 south to Annapolis. I-97 south at MD 665 south to Annapolis.

Interstate 595 U.S. 50 West U.S. 301 South at Interstate 97

US 50/301 west at MD 450 in Parole.

Succeeding off-ramps depart unsigned I-595-U.S. 50 west / U.S. 301 south over the course of 1.25 miles for MD 2 south, MD 450 (West Street) and Interstate 97 north. 12/21/22

US 50/301 west at MD 450 in Parole. US 50/301 west at MD 450, a half mile from I-97 in Parole. US 50/301 west at I-97 north in Parole, MD. I-97 begins north from I-595/US 50-301 west at Exit 21. US 50/301 c/d roadway west at I-97 north in Parole, MD. Traffic partitions from Exit 21 to I-97 north and I-595/US 50-301 west.

Interstate 595 U.S. 50 East U.S. 301 North at Interstate 97

US 50/301 east one mile ahead of I-97 at Parole, MD.

Advancing east from the South River, U.S. 50 east / U.S. 301 (John Hanson Highway) north run alongside suburban areas at Parole to Exit 21 with Interstate 97 north. 12/16/22

US 50/301 east one mile ahead of I-97 at Parole, MD. US 50/301 east a half mile from I-97 north to Baltimore, MD. US 50/301 east at I-97 north in Parole, MD.

Interstate 97 North

Interstate 97 north at Farm Road in Crownsville, MD.

The first shield for Interstate 97 north precedes the Farm Road overpass at Crownsville, Maryland. 12/21/22

References

  1. Pruett, M. (n.d.). I-97. MDRoads. Retrieved from http://www.mdroads.com/routes/is097.html
  2. "New Segment Of I-97 Opens" The Capital (Annapolis, MD), February 17, 1991.
  3. "State Pulls Out All The Stops On I-97" The Capital (Annapolis, MD), July 6, 1991.
  4. "Baltimore Connector Opens." The Capital (Annapolis, MD), March 12, 1991.
Updated April 7, 2023