If you’ve lived in Annapolis for more than a week, you know the "Riva Road shuffle." It’s that specific kind of panic when it’s 11:30 PM on a Tuesday, your kid has a 102-degree fever, or you just realized you're out of the one specific prescription that keeps your life on the rails. Most of the city is dark. The quiet residential streets are tucked in. But the CVS Riva Road Annapolis MD location? It’s basically the lighthouse of the corridor.
I’m talking specifically about the 2601 Riva Rd spot.
It’s one of those rare 24-hour hubs that feels like a cross between a medical center and a midnight snack depot. Honestly, calling it just a "pharmacy" is a bit of an understatement. You’ve probably swung through the drive-thru more times than you’d like to admit, but there’s a lot more happening behind those sliding glass doors than just rows of ibuprofen and overpriced greeting cards.
Why Everyone Ends Up at CVS Riva Road Annapolis MD
Let’s be real: Annapolis isn’t exactly a city that stays up all night. If you need something at 3:00 AM, your options are basically this CVS or a very lonely gas station. But the reason people flock to this specific location isn't just the lack of competition; it’s the infrastructure.
First off, it’s a 24-hour pharmacy. That’s the big one. While the CVS over at Towne Centre or the one on Bay Ridge Road might have fancier surroundings, they have those pesky "closing times." At 2601 Riva Road, the pharmacy counter stays open around the clock. You can reach them at (410) 571-2090. I’ve found that even in the dead of night, the staff there—people like Sara Cook and the rest of the provider team—seem to maintain a level of "I’ve seen it all" calm that is weirdly contagious when you’re stressed out.
The MinuteClinic Factor
If you aren't using the MinuteClinic here, you're doing it wrong. It’s tucked inside the store and handles things that don't quite warrant an ER visit but definitely can't wait until your primary care doctor has an opening in three weeks.
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They do a massive range of stuff:
- Tuberculosis (TB) Testing: This is a big one for local healthcare workers or students. They do the skin test, which requires a follow-up visit 48 to 72 hours later to read the results.
- Physicals: Whether it’s a DOT physical for a commercial license or a last-minute sports physical because your teenager "forgot" to mention the form was due tomorrow.
- Vaccinations: Flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, Shingles, and even travel vaccines like the Chikungunya shot if you're heading somewhere tropical.
- Weight Loss Management: They’ve recently leaned heavily into this, even offering GLP-1 prescriptions (like semaglutide) if you meet the clinical criteria.
The hours for the MinuteClinic are a bit different than the store itself. Usually, they’re open from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM on weekdays, with shorter blocks on the weekends (usually closing around 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM). They do take walk-ins, but honestly, in 2026, just book it on the app. It saves you from sitting in a plastic chair staring at a display of protein shakes for forty minutes.
The Drive-Thru and Accessibility
We have to talk about the drive-thru. It is the unsung hero of the Riva Road corridor. If you have a sleeping toddler in the backseat or you’re feeling like absolute garbage, that window is a gift.
However, a quick word of advice: the line can get brutal around 5:00 PM when everyone is heading home toward Forest Drive or Heritage Harbour. If you can swing it, go at 9:00 PM. It’s a ghost town, and you’ll be in and out in four minutes.
The store is fully ADA accessible. I’ve noticed the aisles are wide enough that you aren't playing bumper cars with the end-cap displays of seasonal decorations. They also have durable medical equipment on-site, which is helpful if you suddenly find yourself needing a pair of crutches or a knee brace after a mishap at the nearby Truxtun Park pickleball courts.
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Managing Your Meds
One thing that makes the CVS Riva Road Annapolis MD location stand out is their compounding service. Not every pharmacy does this. If you need a specific dosage or a liquid version of a medication that typically comes in a pill, they can often handle it here.
They also participate in the Caremark network (unsurprisingly, given the corporate ties). If you have a complex maintenance med, you can often do the 90-day refill here, which saves a lot of back-and-forth.
Comparing the Local Options
I get it—sometimes you just want to know if it's worth the drive compared to what else is nearby. Here is how the landscape looks right now:
- Giant Pharmacy (Forest Dr): Good if you’re already buying groceries, but they close at 9:00 PM.
- Patient Care Pharmacy (West St): This is a locally-owned gem. They offer free delivery and a much more personal touch. If you aren't in a 2:00 AM emergency, support these guys. They’re great for "pill packaging" (organizing your meds by day).
- Care Plus CVS (Riva Rd Ste 110): Don't get this confused with the main store! This is a specialty pharmacy located just down the street. They are more for specific, high-cost injectable drugs and complex conditions. They aren't the place to go for a bottle of Gatorade and some Tylenol.
Expert Tips for Navigating 2601 Riva Road
I’ve spent enough time in this store to know the hacks.
First, the $5 off $20 coupon trick. If you get a vaccination here—whether it’s the flu or COVID—they almost always trigger a coupon for your next shopping trip. In early 2026, they ran a promo where you got the coupon specifically after completing a vaccine series. It’s a nice way to offset the cost of the "emergency snacks" you're inevitably going to buy while you wait.
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Second, check the "ExtraCare" kiosk near the front door. Sometimes the digital app misses things, and those red machines still spit out some surprisingly good paper coupons for things like CVS-brand health products.
Third, if you’re looking for things like the Chikungunya travel vaccine or specific TB blood tests, call ahead. While the MinuteClinic offers 128 different services, they don't always have every niche vial in stock on a random Tuesday.
What You Should Know Before You Go
It’s easy to think of a pharmacy as just a store, but the CVS Riva Road Annapolis MD location is more like a piece of community infrastructure. It’s where people go when the "real" doctors are closed.
Just remember:
- The pharmacy is 24/7, but the MinuteClinic is NOT.
- Peak hours are 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
- They accept most insurance, including MedStar Family Choice and various Medicare/Medicaid plans.
- If you're using the drive-thru for a new prescription, give them at least an hour after your doctor sends it over. Digital systems are fast, but they aren't "instant-pickup-while-you-wait-in-the-car" fast.
The next time you’re stuck in that late-night "what do I do now?" loop, just head toward the red sign on Riva Road. It’s probably the most reliable thing in town after midnight.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Download the CVS App: Link your ExtraCare card so you don't have to punch in your phone number while holding three bags of cough drops.
- Book MinuteClinic Online: Even if you’re just a block away, "getting in line" virtually can save you a 45-minute wait in the store.
- Verify Your Insurance: If you're going for a specialized service like the weight loss program or a DOT physical, check your coverage on the CVS "Insurance and Billing" page before you show up to avoid a $200 surprise.