How much does it cost to commute in Baltimore?
In the Baltimore metro area, households spend about 40.0% of income on the combined cost of housing and transportation, with transportation alone accounting for roughly 16.0% of income — about $14,818 per year for a typical household. (Source: CNT Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, area-median-income household.)
Driving downtown means paying about $18.02 a day to park (median of 40 sampled garages). The region has 8 priced toll facilities, with rates from $2.50 to $8.00. On a simple daily round-trip basis from the data here, the lowest-cost option is driving and parking at about $23.02 per day.
Cost by mode in Baltimore
Daily round-trip cost, lowest first. All figures.
| Mode | Daily round trip | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|
| Drive (park + toll)Cheapest | $23.02 | downtown parking $18.02/day + 2 x lowest priced toll ($2.50) |
Toll roads near Baltimore
8 priced toll facilities, rates from $2.50 to $8.00.
| Facility | Operator | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| JFK Memorial Highway (I-95 NE MD) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $8.00 |
| Thomas J. Hatem Bridge (US 40) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $8.00 |
| ICC / Intercounty Connector (MD 200) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $6.34 |
| Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $6.00 |
| Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $4.00 |
| Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $4.00 |
| I-95 Express Toll Lanes (JFK Memorial Hwy) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $3.00 |
| Chesapeake Bay Bridge (MD) | Maryland Transportation Authority | $2.50 |
Downtown parking
Housing + Transportation affordability
The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for housing + transportation combined. Source: CNT H+T Index (AMI household). Typical household drives 16,434 miles/yr.
The numbers above are metro-wide medians. Enter your real origin and destination to compare drive, transit, park-and-ride, bike, and Uber by actual dollars — gas, tolls, parking, and fares included.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daily parking in downtown Baltimore?
Downtown Baltimore parking costs about $18.02 per day, or $195.70 per month for a reserved spot, based on 40 sampled garages.
What are the toll roads near Baltimore and what do they cost?
The Baltimore region has 8 priced toll facilities. The highest-rate facility is JFK Memorial Highway (I-95 NE MD) (Maryland Transportation Authority) at $8.00. Rates across the region run from $2.50 to $8.00.
What share of income goes to housing and transportation in Baltimore?
In the Baltimore metro, a typical household spends about 40.0% of income on housing and transportation combined, with 16.0% on transportation alone — roughly $14,818 per year. The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for H+T combined.