Home to the flagship campus of the University of Maryland and the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, College Park is a lively university city in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. It is covered by the 301 code and its overlay. This guide breaks down College Park’s 301 and 240 codes, the required 10-digit dialing, major ZIP codes, and local scam warnings.
College Park Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 301 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 240 |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Major County | Prince George’s County |
| Region | DC Suburbs (Prince George’s County) |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & Regional Mapping
301 – Western MD & DC Suburbs Code
Area code 301 is one of the original 1947 codes and covers the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Western Maryland, including College Park, Bowie, and Rockville. It is College Park’s primary code within Prince George’s County.
240 – Western MD & DC Suburbs Overlay
Area code 240 is the 1997 overlay for the 301 region, sharing the same DC-suburbs and western-Maryland geography. Many newer College Park lines carry a 240 prefix, fully local to existing 301 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
College Park’s 301/240 codes cover a city dominated by the sprawling University of Maryland campus and the Route 1 corridor that runs alongside it, lined with student housing, restaurants, and the growing Discovery District research park. Downtown College Park anchors the student-focused commercial core.
Beyond campus, the same codes reach the leafy Old Town and Calvert Hills neighborhoods, the Berwyn and Hollywood districts, and the historic College Park Airport, where the Wright brothers once trained military pilots. As part of the DC suburbs, College Park shares the 301/240 codes with neighboring Bowie and the rest of Prince George’s County.
Local Dialing Rules & International Format
College Park and the 301 region have required 10-digit dialing since the 240 overlay launched — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. The Baltimore area to the northeast uses a separate complex, 410/443/667.
College Park is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT), like all of Maryland. To call the city from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, followed by the 10-digit number (for example, +1 301 XXX-XXXX). From inside the U.S. and Canada, simply dial 1 before the 10-digit number for long-distance calls.
Major ZIP Codes Covered
The 301 service area spans many of College Park’s core ZIP codes, including 20740, 20741, and 20742.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in College Park
College Park residents report neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 301 prefix, plus student-targeted tuition and rental-deposit scams around the University of Maryland. Fake utility-shutoff and delivery scams are also common.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 301 prefix to look familiar. |
| Utility / Toll Scams | Threats to shut off power or demand toll payment via gift cards. |
| IRS / Government | Robocalls claiming legal action — agencies never call to demand instant payment. |
Red flag: Any caller who pressures you to pay immediately with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is almost certainly running a scam. Hang up and verify through an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State for every code across the country.
Nearby & Related Maryland Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is College Park, MD?
College Park uses area code 301 and its overlay 240, shared across the DC suburbs and Western Maryland.
Does College Park have the same area code as Bowie?
Yes. College Park, Bowie, and the rest of Prince George’s County all use 301/240.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in College Park?
Yes. With the 240 overlay active, all local calls in the 301 region require 10-digit dialing.
What time zone is College Park in?
College Park observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), like all of Maryland.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.