Origin
Adelphi, MD
Evening in Adelphi on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
24m
Distance
15.8 mi
25 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adelphi, MD
RDNE Stock project
Rockville, MD
Jonathan Borba
If you are planning a trip from Adelphi to Rockville, you are looking at a quick, 15.8-mile journey that typically takes about 24 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to handle without any overnight stops. You can expect to spend approximately $3 on fuel, making it a very budget-friendly transit across Maryland. The drive is a straightforward, mixed-road experience connecting two major areas within the Northeast region. It serves as a practical link for commuters or travelers moving between these Maryland hubs, and you will find the simplicity of the trip allows for great flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.9 miles from Adelphi, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
This 15.8-mile transit offers a mixed driving profile, combining high-speed highway segments with local road maneuvering. You will spend roughly 34% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 7.6 miles along the Capital Beltway. As you transition from the Beltway to I-270 and eventually onto Great Falls Road, the pace shifts from dense interstate traffic to more localized driving. Expect a variety of road types that keep you engaged, moving from the heavy flow of major arteries into the more standard flow of suburban thoroughfares. It is a functional drive that balances speed with the necessity of navigating local infrastructure.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
691 ft
Total Descent
408 ft
Highest Point
456 ft
~16 mi in
Elevation Range
311 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Adelphi Road.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 15.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Adelphi Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Adelphi Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 495: Northern Virginia, Silver Spring, Baltimore, College Park
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Northern Virginia, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 189 North: Falls Road, Rockville, Town Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Adelphi, MD and Rockville, MD, road signs point toward Silver Spring, Baltimore, College Park and Town Center.
Silver Spring
Baltimore
College Park
Town Center
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| I 270 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Great Falls Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Adelphi Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| New Hampshire Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Montgomery Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Edwards Way | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Riggs Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Adelphi, MD and Rockville, MD.
Start on MD 212
Turn left onto Edwards Way
At end of road, turn left onto Adelphi Road
Turn right onto MD 650
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MD 189
Turn left onto Great Falls Road
Continue on West Montgomery Avenue
Turn right onto South Washington Street
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short 24-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always account for potential congestion on the Capital Beltway and I-270. Since there are no required stops on this route, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks. Keep your fuel budget around $3 in mind when prepping your vehicle for the day. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the transition points between the major highways and Great Falls Road, as traffic patterns can change quickly. Staying alert during these lane changes will ensure a smooth arrival in Rockville.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 15.8 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.9 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockville, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Adelphi, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Adelphi, MD
This is one driving day of about 15.8 miles and 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.9 mi from Adelphi, MD · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 15.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 7.9 miles from Adelphi, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Rockville, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Rockville, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.61 one way
$5.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.86 | $5.72 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.06 | $6.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.51 | $7.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.66 | $0.76 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.38 | $0.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.21 | $1.01 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Adelphi on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Rockville on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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