Antietam Campaign Byway
Driving Directions

Driving the Byway

This byway generally runs along an area of Western Maryland full of Civil War history. The byway is basically linear through Sharpsburg, Boonsboro, Middleton, Frederick, Buckeystown, Licksville, Dickerson, Comus, Barnesville and Poolsville, with a few small spurs at the ends to include Harpers Ferry, Antietam and White's Ferry.

White's Ferry to Poolesville

  • Start your drive on the byway at White's Ferry on the Potomac River west of Poolesville. Take the Whites Ferry Road (MD 107) east.
  • At Martinsburg, turn north on Martinsburg Road to swing past Dickerson Conservation Park.
  • Return to MD 107 via Wasache Road.
  • Go east on MD 107 to Poolesville, then turn north on MD 109.

Poolesville to Frederick

  • Take MD 109 (Beallsville Road) north through Barnesville to Comus.
  • At Comus take Comus Road west to Strongville and Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area.
  • Take Mt. Ephriam Road southwest to Dickerson.
  • A small spur of the byway, Mouth of Monocacy Road, will connect you to the Potomac River.
  • Otherwise, take the byway's Dickerson Road (MD 28) northwest to Licksville.
  • At the junction turn north on MD 85, Buckeystown Pike and go to Buckeystown.
  • Take Michaels Mill Road (MD 880) east.
  • Take Baker Valley Road north to Monocacy National Battlefield.
  • Go past I-270 to reach MD 355 (Urbana Pike.)
  • Turn north on MD 355 for Frederick.

Frederick to Boonsboro

  • In Frederick take get onto US 40 west (the Historic National Road.)
  • Continue on US 40 through Middletown.
  • Stay on US 40 to pass road to South Mountain Battlefield and Washington Monument State Parks (nice sidetrips).
  • Go through Turner's Gap.
  • Near Boonsboro US 40 joins MD 67. Continue on MD 67 into Boonsboro.

Boonsboro to Sharpsburg

  • Take MD 34 west from Boonsboro to Sharpsburg.
  • To reach Antietam National Battlefield take the MD 65 spur of the byway north from Sharpsburg.
  • To reach Kennedy Farm, take Harper's Ferry Road south from Sharpsburg through Antietam to the junction of Mt. Lock Hills Road, where this spur of the byway ends. Take Mt. Lock Hills Road east, then turn south (right) on Chestnut Grove Road to get to Kennedy Farm.
  • To reach Harpers Ferry National Historical Park via the Potomac River, take MD 34 west from Sharpsburg to Canal Road on the Potomac River just shy of the MD/WV border.
  • Take Canal Road south to Antietam. This part of the byway ends here.
  • To reach Harper's Ferry National Historical Park, continue south on Harpers Ferry Road to Harpers Ferry or cross over into West Virginia on River Road or Bakerton Road.