Major city · United States
Kent IslandKent Island, Maryland
Give Kent Island one night, two at most: it is a bridge-stop base for Chesapeake seafood, the Cross Island Trail and Historic Stevensville, not a week-long destination.
Kent Island sits at the eastern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, about 40 minutes from Annapolis by car. It is the first stop on Maryland's Eastern Shore: a low-key mix of marinas, crab houses, a 19th-century main street in Stevensville and 12-plus miles of paved trail. Most travellers pass through on the way to Ocean City or the beaches; one night is enough to eat crab, walk the trail and see the historic district.
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), winter weekdays when some waterfront places close
- Airports
- BWI · DCA · W29
- Nights
- 1–2
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
Emergency numbers for Kent Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- 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 Kent Island, 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
- SafetyKent Island is a low-crime, car-dependent area; the real risks are summer heat, deer and cyclists on US-50 shoulders…
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 · 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.
- AirportBWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (About 1 h by car via I-97 and US-50 east; the usual commercial gateway.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical default: US-50 crosses the island, and Routes 8 and 18 link Stevensville, Chester and Kent Narrows.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealCrab cake sandwich$18–28
- BeerDraft beer at a dock bar$7–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or ridesharecheck$12–20
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a week$15–30
- Budget bedHighway motel room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedHighway motel room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedHighway motel room, a night, per roomUS$190
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$320
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
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (About 1 h by car via I-97 and US-50 east; the usual commercial gateway.) · DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-50 east across the Bay Bridge.) · W29 Bay Bridge Airport, Stevensville (Small general-aviation field; no scheduled commercial flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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: 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
Kent Island: 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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°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 the practical default: US-50 crosses the island, and Routes 8 and 18 link Stevensville, Chester and Kent Narrows. The Cross Island Trail (Terrapin Park to Kent Narrows) and the Kent Island South Trail (Matapeake Park to Romancoke Pier) are paved and bike-friendly but do not connect to each other. Rideshare coverage is thin outside the Narrows; plan around your own vehicle or a taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Annapolis
goDoor to door: About 45 min
US-50 west across the Bay Bridge by car
Naval Academy, colonial centre and waterfront; easy half-day.
St. Michaels
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-50 east to Route 33, by car
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and a walkable small-town centre.
Chestertown
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-50 east to Route 213 north, by car
Brick historic district on the Chester River; good with a lunch stop.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-50 east by car
Waterfront, Harriet Tubman sites and Blackwater refuge beyond.
Door to door: About 2 h 30 min
US-50 east by car
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep on the coast.
Smith Island
overnightDoor to door: 3 h+
Drive to Crisfield, then the passenger ferry from Crisfield harbour
Ferries run from the Crisfield area only, with limited daily sailings; check schedules before committing.
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.
Kent Narrows / Grasonville
Chain hotels and the densest cluster of crab houses and dock bars; best for one night with a car.
Stevensville
Historic main street, inns and cafés; quieter, 10–15 min by car from the Narrows.
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
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–240 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel room near Kent Narrows1 × 1 night × US$190 | US$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$190 | US$380 |
| Bay Bridge toll, eastbound only1 × US$6 · check | US$6 |
| Crab dinner for two with sides1 × US$90 · check | US$90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$71 |
| Trip total≈ US$389 per person per day, bed included | US$777 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Crab cake sandwich | $18–28 |
| Steamed crabs, per personMarket price; ask before ordering. | $35–60 |
| Draft beer at a dock bar | $7–10 |
| 5 km taxi or ridesharecheck | $12–20 |
| eSIM or data plan, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Bay Bridge toll is charged eastbound only; check the current rate before you cross.
- Waterfront crab houses get long waits on summer weekends: go early or book.
- Some seasonal dock bars and restaurants close in winter; call ahead off-season.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the southern end of the island; download maps before you drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Kent IslandKent Island, Maryland
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies on the island; national embassies are in Washington, DC, about 1 h 15 min by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bay Bridge toll, eastbound: about $6, charged only crossing east (check)
- BWI → Kent Island by car: about 1 h; taxi or rideshare fare check locally before booking (check)
- Crab dinner for two: market price; ask the total before ordering (check)
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink at bars.
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 Kent Island. 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), winter weekdays when some waterfront places close · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed fixtures for BWI and DCA with field-checked drive times and a taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Historic Stevensville, Terrapin Park, Kent Narrows and Matapeake.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Cross Island Trail, Terrapin Park and the Bay Bridge Walk, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and weather fixtures so the summer-heat and winter-closure gates can go green.