Major city · United States
La PlataLa Plata, Maryland
Skip as a base: La Plata is a 1-night car stop for Thomas Stone and Port Tobacco, 1 h from Washington DC on US-301.
La Plata is the seat of Charles County in Southern Maryland, on US-301 between Washington and the Potomac. There is no airport and no train, so you arrive by car. One night covers the Thomas Stone National Historic Site and the Port Tobacco village; two nights if you add Gilbert Run Park or use it as a cheap bed for a wider Southern Maryland loop.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice on back roads)
- Airports
- DCA · BWI · IAD
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for La Plata911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Charles County Sheriff (non-emergency)301-932-2222
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about La Plata, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime small town; the real risks are highway driving on US-301, deer at dusk on rural roads, and summer heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 301-932-2222 Charles County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 1 h by car via I-495 and MD-5/US-301; no rail link to La Plata.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: sights sit 5–15 km (3.1–9.3 mi) apart with no useful bus.A car is effectively required: sights sit 3.1–9.3 mi (5–15 km) apart with no useful bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealLunch or casual dinner$12–22
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–14
- BeerBeer at a bar$5–8
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or historic-site entryThomas Stone site is free; check seasonal hours.Free–$10
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$140
- Mid-range bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 1 h by car via I-495 and MD-5/US-301; no rail link to La Plata.) · BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 1 h 30 min by car; the longer of the two main options.) · IAD Washington Dulles International (About 1 h 30 min–1 h 45 min by car; check traffic on the Beltway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
La Plata: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: sights sit 5–15 km apart with no useful bus. US-301 is the spine; MD-6 runs west to Port Tobacco. Parking is free almost everywhere.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Port Tobacco village and St. Thomas Manor
goDoor to door: About 20–25 min
MD-6 west from La Plata, then Chapel Point Road
Courthouse museum and the 1641 Jesuit mission site; a half-day at most.
Gilbert Run Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
MD-6 and MD-5 north-east toward Charlotte Hall
Lake, trails and boat rental; day-use fee per vehicle on weekends and holidays in season.
Solomons
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-301 south then MD-4 east
Waterfront boardwalk, seafood and a small museum; pairs well with a Patuxent drive.
Door to door: About 1 h 10 min
MD-5 south to MD-4
Colonial archaeology and a reconstructed 17th-century town; a full day.
Washington, DC
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
US-301 north to I-495
Doable as a day trip, but traffic makes it a poor base for sightseeing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US-301 / Crain Highway strip
Chain and independent motels with free parking, 5 min from the town centre; the practical choice for one night with a car.
Port Tobacco Road, west of town
Country B&Bs and guesthouses toward Port Tobacco; quieter, needs a car for everything.
Town centre, Charles Street area
Walkable to restaurants and the courthouse square; very few beds, book early.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 | US$60 |
| Fuel, about 150 km1 × US$18 | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$274 per person per day, bed included | US$548 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–14 |
| Lunch or casual dinner | $12–22 |
| Beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| Fuel, per gallon | $3.00–3.60 |
| Museum or historic-site entryThomas Stone site is free; check seasonal hours. | Free–$10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No airport and no train station: the nearest rail is a commuter line well north of town, so plan on driving.
- US-301 traffic backs up at rush hour and on summer weekends heading to the Potomac bridges.
- Rural back roads flood or ice in storms; check conditions before leaving the highway.
- Some historic sites are volunteer-run with limited opening: confirm hours before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Charles County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 301-932-2222
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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La PlataLa Plata, Maryland
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Charles County Sheriff (non-emergency)301-932-2222
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in La Plata; national embassies are in Washington, DC, about 1 h by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DCA → La Plata, taxi or rideshare: $70–100, about 1 h
- La Plata → Washington DC, fuel and tolls: about $10–15 one way
- Gilbert Run Park day-use fee: $5 per vehicle on weekends and holidays, April 1–Sept 30
Say or show
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- How far is it? — How far is it?
- The check, please — The check, please
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for La Plata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice on back roads) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DCA, BWI and IAD: drive times field-checked against rush-hour traffic, taxi and rideshare fallback rungs.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: the town centre and the US-301 motel strip; Port Tobacco and Chapel Point.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Thomas Stone, Port Tobacco Courthouse, St. Thomas Manor, Gilbert Run Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and flood fixtures so gates A–D can go green.