Delmarva Highways :: MD 404 (Wye Mills to MD/DE State Line)

One of the major highways on the Delmarva Peninsula, and a popular alternate route to the Delaware beach resorts, MD 404 has seen many changes since it was first commissioned.

Originally one of Maryland's first state highways, MD 404 used to serve travelers crossing the Chesapeake Bay. MD 404 served as the eastern portal of the ferry that used to pre-date the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial bridge. When US 50 was routed across the ferry in the 1950s... the western terminus of MD 404 was moved to Wye Mills, where it continues to be today.

Much of MD 404 was reconstructed in the 1950s. Curves were super elevated, smaller communities were bypassed, and shoulders were added to the aging highway. Portions of former MD 404 that were bypassed survive today, as Alternate MD 404 around Hillsboro, as Saathoff Road near Ridgely, and as Business MD 404 in Denton.

Speaking of Denton... a 4-lane expressway was constructed throughout the 1980 to bypass the town of Denton. This bypass momentarily relieves traffic around the busy community during the summer months.

Recent construction is extending the 4-lane portion of MD 404 east of Denton. Recently, a new section of dualized MD 404, about a 1 mile stretch of divided highway, opened. The State of Maryland has pledged to dualize the entire route of MD 404 (from US 50 in Wye Mills to the Delaware border) in the near future, which is plagued with accidents and fatalities in the summer months.

	MD 404's western terminus is here, at MD 662 in the small community of Wye Mills. This section of MD 404 hasn't been upgraded, and still features it's pre-1940s construction.
	Traveling toward US 50. This section of MD 404 isn't heavily traveled. With it's hills and scenery... this short section of MD 404 really is a nice drive.
	Intersection with US 50.
	After meeting up with US 50... MD 404 becomes a major 2-lane highway. As the sign says... headlight use is required throughout on all 2-lane sections of MD 404.
	Newer MD 404 reassurance shield.
	Typical scenery along MD 404 in Queen Anne County.
	Exit for Alternate MD 404. Although no longer signed in Queen Anne County, Alternate MD 404 serves the communities of Queen Anne and Hillsboro. Alternate MD 404 is MD 404's original alignment in this area.
	Intersection with MD 309 (Starr Road) near Queen Anne.
	Older railroad overpass.
	MD 404 crosses the Tuckahoe River, and enters Caroline County.
	Intersection with MD 480 (Ridgely Road) near Hillsboro.
	Traveling eastbound toward Denton.
	The eastern terminus of Alternate MD 404 near Hillsboro.
	A line in the woods shows a former alignment of MD 404 near Saathoff Road. More details on this former alignment can be seen here.
	Intersection of MD 312 (Downes Station Road) near Ridgely.
	Mileage sign.
	Continuing eastbound toward Denton.
	"Divided Highway Ahead" signage approaching the Denton bypass.
	A now-divided MD 404, approaching Denton.
	Interchange with Business MD 404, west of Denton. Business MD 404 is an older alignment of MD 404 through the heart of Denton. This also starts the expressway portion of MD 404, around Denton.
	At-grade intersection with MD 328 (River Road).
	Crossing the Choptank River.
	Interchange with MD 313 / MD 619 (Denton / Greensboro Road). MD 619 is MD 313's original alignment through Denton. Here, MD 313 begins a multiplex with MD 404.
	Camp Road overpass.
	Interchange with Business MD 404 (Gay Street). Gay Street is the westbound portion of Business MD 404 through Denton.
	Intersection with Legion Road. The traffic barrels are from the recent dualization project east of Denton.
	Traveling the new eastbound lanes.
	Intersection with Deep Shore Road... complete with new signals.
	At the time of photography, MD 313/404 once again became a 2-lane highway. And, once again, headlight use was required. This section is now a 4-lane expessway.
	Bridge over Watts Creek.
	Intersection with MD 16. MD 16 serves as an alternate route to US 50. Here, MD 16 enters in a triplex with MD 313/404.
	Reassurance markers for the MD 16/313/404 triplex.
	Typical scenery traveling the MD 16/313/404 triplex.
	Intersection with MD 313. Here, MD 313 leaves it's multiplex with MD 404, and continues it's southerly journey to Mardela Springs, MD.
	Traveling toward the Delaware border.
	Intersection with MD 16. Here, MD 16 leaves it's multiplex with MD 404, and continues to travel east toward the Delaware shore.
	Older style Maryland mileage sign. Oh... and in case you forgot... headlight use is required.
	Continuing to travel east toward the Delaware line.
	Approaching the Delaware border. Here, you are reminded to turn off your headlights, since Delaware doesn't require you to turn them on. Also, the speed limit drops from 55 MPH to 50 MPH. Here, MD 404 becomes DE 404, and will continue to take you to Lewes, DE.