My family is soon traveling to the DC area, and after 3 nights around Washington/Arlington, we want to move to a hotel east or north of Washington that will give us good access to Baltimore, Annapolis, and maybe the Army Ordance Museum at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. This part of the trip would be mid to late week, not the weekend. I am hoping to find hotels in the $90-100 range, as I am thinking we don't really need a place in the city for this 2-3 day period.

In Baltimore, I am looking at seeing Ft. McHenry, the aquarium, and maybe the Top of the World observation deck. I have only driven through Baltimore and have never spent any time there.

Can anyone provide good tips on where to stay to minimize the price, driving, and traffic?

I would just devote 1 day to Baltimore. It has been awhile since I've been but Fort McHenry, Aquarium and the Inner Harbor could probably be done it one day. A tour of Historic Annapolis a boat ride (that leaves from downtown Annapolis) and a tour of the Naval Aademy would be another full day.
I have not visited the APG museum. Any extra 1/2 day could be spent at Mount Vernon. Enjoy!!!

Thanks. I am planning to devote a half day to Mt. Vernon as well. One of the few places in VA I have not been.

If you're doing Baltimore, Lexington Market is always worth a visit. For background, check it out on Wikipedia. Then go to lexingtonmarket.com .

So, after a little more research, I have determined that there are several areas around Baltimore that might get me a reasonably priced room and put me near the sights. Options are to visit the Inner Harbor area, Annapolis, and the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. I am looking at hotels in Glen Burnie, the BWI Airport area, Towson, and White Marsh as possible areas to meet these criteria. Can anyone very familiar with those locations comment on them as far as what the area is like for food, safety, traffic, etc? Or if you can suggest other areas, that would be great too. Thanks.

I would stay between Baltimore & Annapolis. BWI area has hotels and is close to Arundel Mills mall which has restaurants all around the perimeter similar to Potomac Mills in VA. You might actually look at the hotels near Arundel Mills as well. You could also take the light rail into downtown (some hotels might have a shuttle to the station or just park for free at light rail station) and walk 10 min to the Inner Harbor. You can take a water taxi to Ft Mchenry & other points. Baltimore really can be done in 1 day. The Aquarium is prob best first thing in the morning followed by lunch then a water taxi to the Fort. Other points of interest in B'more is the B&O railroad museum, Science Center, and a few ships you can tour docked down on the piers.

The drive up to APG from BWI is about 1 hour, no more unless there is an accident. I hear they have quite a collection of tanks there. Annapolis is only 30 min away from BWI area. Again, Annapolis is a nice day trip and very walkable downtown.

Traffic should be fine any time of the morning if you head north towards APG because everyone will heading towards Baltimore. If you take light rail, you will be fine going into Baltimore downtown or if you drive you should be fine mid morning. Annapolis you'll be okay prob after 9am but hard to tell, its been a few years since I've lived in the area.