I-270 can be one of the more frustrating stretches of this drive, so for folks who get hungry early on, this Clarksburg country store, gas station, and deli provides a solid option for road trip-friendly sandwiches (the club sandwich is an excellent go-to). Pro tip — consider taking MD 355 up to Frederick once you’ve pulled over here to avoid some traffic.

If D.C. traffic has made getting out of the city feel impossible, drivers may find themselves forced to seek sustenance in nearby Frederick. For years this restaurant space, slightly outside of downtown Frederick with its own parking lot, housed Bryan Voltaggio’s stylish diner, Family Meal. Last year the Top Chef alum briefly rebranded it as Born & Raised. In the latest iteration, Voltaggio is cooking up comfort food dishes like a ribeye cheesesteak and meatloaf. Fried chicken, a draw of the original Family Meal, remains on the menu at Showroom. Takeout available.

This Bavarian restaurant serves stuffed cabbage, knackwurst, wiener schnitzel, strudel, and more. not to mention German beers. Takeout is available, too.

Diners who’d rather not “spend” one of their few meals in Pittsburgh at this iconic sandwich joint can experience the coleslaw and French fry-slathered sandwiches at an outpost in Hagerstown, the chain’s closest location to D.C.

The quirky name at this Maryland restaurant promises plenty of intrigue. It’s known for crab cakes, but the eclectic menu features everything from seared tuna to lobster rolls. Beyond the restaurant, the location has an ever-changing selection of antiques. Live music and a fun patio are other draws.

Bad Boyz was featured on Food Network’s Outrageous Food, and the fun menu includes dry-rubbed wings that taste like Cool Ranch Doritos. There’s even a respectable salad or two. People who finish a giant burger or survive the intensely spicy wings can win free food, a T-shirt, and glory.

Steakhouse vibes and a wood-paneled bar room make this is a more restful, leisurely stop for travelers. People can even stay overnight at the affiliated Omni Springs resort. The menu spans from mushroom soup to steak tips, but don’t miss out on the fried pierogies for an appetizer.

This restaurant and inn has plenty of history behind it — ask a bartender about flipping through their scrapbook of “haunted” encounters. The French dip is the must-order. Soups, onion rings, garlic wings, and assorted bar food items are safe bets, but the restaurant also has more ambitious entrees and monthly specials. The dining room area is quaint, but the tavern is more festive and often filled with chatty travelers watching sports, along with a crackling fireplace. There’s also a big patio — as well as a goat or two hanging out in a barn off the parking lot.

Heard of the Pittsburgh salad? Pine Grill calls its version a char-grilled chicken salad, but it still features the glorious, unlikely combination of iceberg lettuce and French fries. Customers can also find sandwiches, steak tips, pierogi, and pasta specials at this homey stop (Thursday is pasta night).

Sometimes chips and salsa just hit the spot after a long drive. Rey Azteca has the Mexican-American classics you’d expect: fajitas, chimichangas, enchiladas, burritos, and a hefty selection of combination platters.

Come for the burgers, stay for the chicken-fried pickles and homestyle soups. This is a classic diner, with pies and prices to match, except for the fact that the hours are limited (closing time is anywhere between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. depending on the day of the week).