Best stops on I-495 in Maryland

All 48 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 2A-B — Washington;National Harbor

Milepost 2 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 15 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Arlington Historical Museum, Jones Point Park

2. Exit 3B — Forest Heights

Milepost 3 · 29 places to eat · 15 gas stations · 11 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ East Potomac Park, Gravelly Point Park

3. Exit 33 — Kensington;Chevy Chase

Milepost 33 · 29 places to eat · 17 gas stations · 14 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Rock Creek Park, National Zoological Park

4. Exit 3 — Forest Heights;Indian Head

Milepost 3 · 17 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 10 hotels · ♥ Arlington Ridge Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island

5. Exit 4B — Saint Barnabas Road;Marlow Heights East

Milepost 4 · 17 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 3 hotels · ♥ Seward Square, Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument

6. Exit 4A — West Oxon Hill;Saint Barnabas Road

Milepost 4 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 5 hotels · ♥ Capital Jewish Museum, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

7. Exit 7A — Waldorf;Silver Hill

Milepost 7 · 24 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 10 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Anacostia Park, Section F, Anacostia Park, Section F

8. Exit 22A — BWI Marshall Airport;Baltimore North;Baltimore-Washington Parkway

Milepost 22 · 18 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 12 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Greenbelt Park, Riversdale House Museum

9. Exit 17-16

Milepost 17 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 13 hotels · ♥ Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, National Capitol Columns

10. Exit 29 — Langley Park

Milepost 29 · 24 places to eat · 15 gas stations · 10 hotels · ♥ Pope John Paul II National Shrine, Rachel Carson House

← Every I-495 exit in Maryland