Is Wells Corner safe?
Upper Marlboro, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wells Corner as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Wells Corner
“Go. Wells Corner is a quiet, low-density suburban and rural-fringe community just outside downtown Upper Marlboro that poses very little danger to visitors. Standard situational awareness is adequate, as the area experiences very low levels of violent crime.”
About the area
Wells Corner is a semi-rural residential and commercial crossroads in Prince George's County, characterized by single-family homes, open parcels, and light local retail along Route 301 and Route 4. It offers a calm, car-oriented atmosphere far removed from the urban density of Washington, D.C.
- Quiet Suburb
- Car-Dependent
- Semi-Rural
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Wells Corner
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There is no local bike-share program and roads lack dedicated bike lanes, though extensive trail networks are accessible nearby within the Patuxent River parklands.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to inner-beltway Prince George's County communities
- High median household incomes and predominantly owner-occupied housing stock
- Spacious, tranquil atmosphere with easy highway access to regional parks and government offices
Cons
- Severe car dependency with virtually no pedestrian infrastructure along main arterial roads
- Isolated rural roads with minimal street lighting at night
- Occasional property thefts and vehicle break-ins along commercial retail corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Wells Corner, with virtually no encampments or panhandling present in the area.
What Wells Corner is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with commuter traffic moving along Crain Highway and Pennsylvania Avenue.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and uneventful, though high-speed traffic on major corridors necessitates vehicle travel.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding-down with low activity outside of dining establishments.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and sparsely populated; while violent crime is rare, unlit roads make walking inadvisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is very limited; Prince George's County 'TheBus' Route 20 provides weekday bus service connecting to the region, with the nearest Metrorail station being Branch Avenue or Largo Town Center over 10 miles away.
Parking is completely ample and free in private driveways, surface retail strip lots, and public park facilities.
Things to do in Wells Corner
- Tour the historic buildings and courthouse grounds in neighboring downtown Upper Marlboro
- Hike, kayak, or birdwatch at nearby Patuxent River Park
- Explore equestrian events and local exhibitions at the Prince George's Equestrian Center
Local favorites
- The Executive Diner · Diner · 4.3★ (780)A popular local spot serving classic breakfast platters, burgers, and comfort food favorites.
- Ledo Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.1★ (620)Regional Maryland staple known for its rectangular thin-crust pizzas and thick-cut pepperoni.
- Babes Boys Tavern at The Top of The Hill · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Lively neighborhood pub offering hearty tavern fare, craft beers, and weekend entertainment.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.