Maryland Route 256
Encyclopedia
Maryland Route 256 is a state highway
in the U.S. state
of Maryland
. The route runs 5.28 mi (8.5 km) from Maryland Route 2
in Tracys Landing
east to Maryland Route 468
in Churchton
.
(Solomons Island Road) in Tracys Landing
. After passing Deale-Tracys Park, the route heads east as a two-lane road with a speed limit of 45 mph (72.4 km/h) through an area of forests, farms, and scattered residences, within which the road crosses Franklin Gibson Road at an oblique angle. After passing the entrance to two of the many marinas around Deale
, the road crosses Traceys Creek and turns to the north. After encountering more marinas and a speed drop to 30 mph (48.3 km/h), MD 256 reaches the intersection of Rockhold Creek Road, where MD 255 turns east to continue on Deale Road and cross Rockhold Creek.
MD 256 continues east through the unincorporated village of Deale until it passes Drum Point Road and meets Masons Beach Road. The latter road continues straight, while MD 256 has a 90-degree turn to the north onto Deale Churchton Road. After passing the South County Branch Library, the speed limit increases to 40 mph (64.4 km/h) and the road runs through an area of residences and marina-related shops, as well as Mimosa Cove Road and Swamp Circle Road. The road continues north until the roundabout
at which MD 256 encounters Maryland Route 258
(Bay Front Road), which is surrounded by some commercial establishments. After the roundabout, the road passes Deale Beach Road and enters an area of forest and scattered residences. Within the unincorporated village of Churchton
, MD 256 meets Franklin Manor Road. The road then heads north through a sparsely settled area until it reaches its terminus at a traffic signal at Maryland Route 458
. MD 458 heads west as Muddy Creek Road and east as Shady Side Road.
.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The route runs 5.28 mi (8.5 km) from Maryland Route 2
Maryland Route 2
Maryland Route 2 is the longest state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The route runs from Solomons Island in Calvert County north to an intersection with U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 40 Truck in Baltimore...
in Tracys Landing
Tracys Landing, Maryland
Tracys Landing is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. Tracy's Landing Tobacco House No. 2 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The St. James Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.Tracys Landing is...
east to Maryland Route 468
Maryland Route 468
Maryland Route 468 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The route runs from Snug Harbor Road in Shady Side north to Maryland Route 214 in Edgewater.-Route description:...
in Churchton
Churchton, Maryland
Churchton is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States....
.
Route description
Maryland Route 256 begins at an intersection with Maryland Route 2Maryland Route 2
Maryland Route 2 is the longest state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The route runs from Solomons Island in Calvert County north to an intersection with U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 40 Truck in Baltimore...
(Solomons Island Road) in Tracys Landing
Tracys Landing, Maryland
Tracys Landing is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. Tracy's Landing Tobacco House No. 2 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The St. James Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.Tracys Landing is...
. After passing Deale-Tracys Park, the route heads east as a two-lane road with a speed limit of 45 mph (72.4 km/h) through an area of forests, farms, and scattered residences, within which the road crosses Franklin Gibson Road at an oblique angle. After passing the entrance to two of the many marinas around Deale
Deale, Maryland
Deale is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,796 at the 2000 census. It has a scenic view of Chesapeake Bay and is popular with boaters...
, the road crosses Traceys Creek and turns to the north. After encountering more marinas and a speed drop to 30 mph (48.3 km/h), MD 256 reaches the intersection of Rockhold Creek Road, where MD 255 turns east to continue on Deale Road and cross Rockhold Creek.
MD 256 continues east through the unincorporated village of Deale until it passes Drum Point Road and meets Masons Beach Road. The latter road continues straight, while MD 256 has a 90-degree turn to the north onto Deale Churchton Road. After passing the South County Branch Library, the speed limit increases to 40 mph (64.4 km/h) and the road runs through an area of residences and marina-related shops, as well as Mimosa Cove Road and Swamp Circle Road. The road continues north until the roundabout
Roundabout
A roundabout is the name for a road junction in which traffic moves in one direction around a central island. The word dates from the early 20th century. Roundabouts are common in many countries around the world...
at which MD 256 encounters Maryland Route 258
Maryland Route 258
Maryland Route 258 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Bay Front Road, the route runs from Wrighton Road in Bristol east to Maryland Route 256 in Deale.-Route description:...
(Bay Front Road), which is surrounded by some commercial establishments. After the roundabout, the road passes Deale Beach Road and enters an area of forest and scattered residences. Within the unincorporated village of Churchton
Churchton, Maryland
Churchton is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States....
, MD 256 meets Franklin Manor Road. The road then heads north through a sparsely settled area until it reaches its terminus at a traffic signal at Maryland Route 458
Maryland Route 458
Maryland Route 458 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Silver Hill Road, the route runs from Maryland Route 5 in Hillcrest Heights north to Walker Mill Road in District Heights.-Route description:...
. MD 458 heads west as Muddy Creek Road and east as Shady Side Road.
History
Maryland Route 256 was paved from MD 2 to Traceys Creek on the west side of Deale in 1927. The entire route was paved by 1933. The 1939 Maryland state highway map shows MD 256 assigned to its present course. The roundabout at the MD 258 junction was completed in 2007.Junction list
The entire route is in Anne Arundel CountyAnne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is named for Anne Arundell , a member of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England and the wife of Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Its county seat is Annapolis, which is also the capital of the state...
.
| Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracys Landing Tracys Landing, Maryland Tracys Landing is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. Tracy's Landing Tobacco House No. 2 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The St. James Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.Tracys Landing is... |
0.00 | Western terminus | |
| 0.74 | Franklin Gibson Road | ||
| Deale Deale, Maryland Deale is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,796 at the 2000 census. It has a scenic view of Chesapeake Bay and is popular with boaters... |
2.22 | Rockhold Creek Road | |
| 2.53 | Drum Point Road | ||
| 2.58 | Masons Beach Road |  turns north on Deale Churchton Road |
|
| 2.95 | Mimosa Cove Road | ||
| 3.22 | Swamp Circle Road | ||
| 3.51 | Roundabout | ||
| Churchton Churchton, Maryland Churchton is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States.... |
3.61 | Deale Beach Road | |
| 4.47 | Franklin Manor Road | ||
| 5.28 | Eastern terminus | ||