Origin
Arlington, MD
Afternoon in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, MD to Columbia, MD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
25m
Distance
14.4 mi
23 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, MD
RDNE Stock project
Columbia, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington, MD to Columbia, MD covers 14.4 miles and takes about 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70 Extension, Columbia Pike, West Forest Park Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 5.4 miles on I 70 Extension. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
7.2 miles from Arlington, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Arlington, MD to Columbia, MD covers 14.4 miles and takes about 25m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 5.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Eldorado Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 14.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Eldorado Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (US 29 / Columbia Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Eldorado Avenue
Turn sharp left onto Eldorado Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
9.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellicott City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 87A
Toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellic...
5
10.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge onto US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Searc...
5
14.4 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Arrive toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 21B
Toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Searc...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, MD and Columbia, MD, road signs point toward Washington and Ellicott City.
Washington
9.7 mi in
|
~19m
Ellicott City
9.7 mi in
|
~19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 Extension | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Columbia Pike | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| West Forest Park Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Hillsdale Road | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Eldorado Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Hayward Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Ingleside Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Oakford Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70 Extension
— 5.4 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, MD and Columbia, MD.
1
Start on Cuthbert Avenue
419 ft
·
16 sec
·
Cuthbert Avenue
2
Turn right onto Hayward Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Hayward Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto Eldorado Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Eldorado Avenue
4
Turn right onto Oakford Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Oakford Avenue
5
Continue on Hillsdale Road
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Hillsdale Road
6
Turn slight right onto West Forest Park Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Forest Park Avenue
7
Continue on Ingleside Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ingleside Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 70 West
9
Merge onto I 70 Extension
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
I 70 Extension
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 87A
Toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellicott City
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto US 29
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 21B
Toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
Exit 21B
Toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.2 miles from Arlington, MD, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.4 miles.
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 14.4 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.2 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, 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 Arlington, MD
This is one driving day of about 14.4 miles and 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 70 Extension for about 5.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.2 mi from Arlington, MD · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.2 miles from Arlington, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbia, MD
The final approach into Columbia, 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 Columbia, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.39 one way
$4.77 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.61 | $5.23 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.79 | $5.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Columbia, MD
Afternoon in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
W 3 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, MD to Columbia, MD covers 14.4 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70 Extension, Columbia Pike, West Forest Park Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.2 miles from Arlington, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 14.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Eldorado Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (US 29 / Columbia Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Arlington, MD and Columbia, MD, road signs point toward Washington and Ellicott City.
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