You're right. Columbia is in the wrong direction. Since I'll be alone that night, I was gravitating to the known and familiar. I've heard so many (probably overblown) things about safety and Baltimore that I wanted to be comfortable with where I'd be staying. If, however, the hotels right around the airport are good, then that'll be my first choice. Finding hotels for the first time in the dark, wee hours of the morning while driving in a new-to-me city is not my idea of a great time. Thanks for the info!

I'm already getting excited about the trip, even if I'm not super-excited about the guest line-up for the con. It's a good thing that the best part of a con is actually the fans. :)