Major city · United States
Sharpsburg
Go for one full day at Antietam battlefield, sleep one night in town, and skip Sharpsburg as a base beyond that.
Sharpsburg is a village of under 1,000 people whose only reason to exist on a travel map is Antietam National Battlefield, the bloodiest single day in US military history: about 23,000 killed, wounded or missing on 17 September 1862. The battlefield is 8.5 miles of driving stops plus walking trails, so a half-day visit shortchanges it. Come by car, stay one night, and pair it with Harpers Ferry or Gettysburg.
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); the anniversary weekend in mid-September is the busiest of the year
- Airports
- IAD · DCA · BWI · HGR
- 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 Sharpsburg911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Antietam Visitor Center+1 301 432-5124
- 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 Sharpsburg, 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
- SafetyVery safe: this is a village of under 1,000 people and the main risks are driving the rural roads at night, deer on MD-34…
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 · +1 301 432-5124 Antietam Visitor Center · 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.
- AirportIAD Washington Dulles (About 1 h 15 min by car; the usual gateway for this area.).
- Getting aroundA car is required: Sharpsburg sits on MD-34, reached from I-70 via MD-64 and US-40, and there is no rail or bus service to the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–14
- BeerDraft beer at a Main Street bar$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Museum or sight ticketBattlefield entry, per person$4 (check)
- Budget bedHagerstown chain hotel, double (20 min away), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedHistoric in-town inn or B&B, double, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedHistoric in-town inn or B&B, double, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
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
- IAD Washington Dulles (About 1 h 15 min by car; the usual gateway for this area.) · DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 1 h 30 min by car.) · BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 1 h 30 min by car.) · HGR Hagerstown Regional (Small regional field about 20 min away; limited flights, check schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°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
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Oct. Mixed: Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sharpsburg: 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
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°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 required: Sharpsburg sits on MD-34, reached from I-70 via MD-64 and US-40, and there is no rail or bus service to the village. Once parked in town, Main Street is walkable end to end in about 10 minutes. The battlefield itself is an 8.5-mile one-way auto tour with 11 stops, so you drive between stops and walk short trails at each.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Harpers Ferry
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Car via MD-34 and US-340
Lower town, the confluence viewpoint and the Civil War sites; half a day is enough.
Boonsboro
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car via MD-34 east
Original Washington Monument on South Mountain; short climb, good half-day add-on.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via MD-34, US-15 and US-30
A full battlefield in its own right; sleep there rather than doubling back.
Door to door: About 20–25 min
Car via MD-65 and I-70
Closest real city: chain hotels, restaurants and the regional airport.
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.
Main Street (in-town inns and B&Bs)
Walk to dinner and the bar; the battlefield gate is a 5-min drive.
Sharpsburg Pike / MD-34 south of town
Motel-style and chain beds nearest the battlefield entrance; you need a car for everything.
Hagerstown (20 min)
More rooms, lower prices, chain hotels; use it if Sharpsburg is full.
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
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Historic in-town inn or B&B, double1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Antietam battlefield entry, per person2 × US$4 · check | US$8 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| 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 |
| Sandwich or sub | $8–13 |
| Ice cream coneCash only at some counters. | $3–6 |
| Draft beer at a Main Street bar | $5–8 |
| Battlefield entry, per person | $4 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public transport to or around Sharpsburg: without a car you are stranded.
- Battlefield roads close at dark; the auto tour is not a night drive.
- Some in-town places are cash only — carry cash.
- Summer heat and ticks on the trails; carry water.
- Cell signal is patchy on the battlefield's back lanes.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Antietam Visitor Center
- +1 301 432-5124
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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SharpsburgSharpsburg
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Antietam Visitor Center+1 301 432-5124
Embassy
No embassies in Sharpsburg; Washington, DC has the embassies, about 1 h 30 min by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- IAD → Sharpsburg by car: about 1 h 15 min, rental car from about $60/day (check)
- Sharpsburg → Harpers Ferry by car: about 30–40 min, no public transport
- Battlefield entry: $4 per person, valid three days (check)
Say or show
- Where is the battlefield entrance? — Where is the battlefield entrance?
- Is this cash only? — Is this cash only?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- How long is the auto tour? — How long is the auto tour?
Print this card: 911, the visitor centre number and your inn's address are the three things you will actually need.
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 Sharpsburg. 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); the anniversary weekend in mid-September is the busiest of the year · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IAD, DCA and BWI: drive times field-checked, rental-car pickup, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters in town: Main Street inns, the three National Register houses, the two bars and the ice-cream counter.
- Battlefield pages with verified opening hours and the auto-tour stop order, plus trail pages with cutoffs.
- Anniversary-weekend fixture so the mid-September crowd spike shows before booking.