Origin
Beltsville, MD
Evening in Beltsville on Wednesday
Local time
6:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beltsville, MD to Wheaton, MD
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
17m
Distance
9.5 mi
15 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beltsville, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Wheaton, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Beltsville, MD to Wheaton, MD covers 9.5 miles and takes about 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Capital Beltway, University Boulevard West, Baltimore Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 3.9 miles on Capital Beltway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.57 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
4.8 miles from Beltsville, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 17m drive with frequent turns across 9.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
467 ft
120 ft
Total Climb
426 ft
Total Descent
90 ft
Highest Point
467 ft
~9.5 mi in
Elevation Range
347 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Baltimore Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 9.5 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (US 1 / Baltimore Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Turn right onto US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
5.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward MD 193: Wheaton, Langley Park
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 29
Toward MD 193: Wheaton, Langley Park
9
5.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 193 West: University Boulevard, Wheaton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 193 West: University Boulevard, Wheat...
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
MD 193 / University Boulevard East
Turn right onto MD 193 / University Boulevard East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beltsville, MD and Wheaton, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Silver Spring and Langley Park.
Baltimore
1.5 mi in
|
~2m
Silver Spring
2.3 mi in
|
~3m
|
via I 495
Langley Park
5.7 mi in
|
~7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| University Boulevard West | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| University Boulevard East | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Veirs Mill Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Powder Mill Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 3.9 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beltsville, MD and Wheaton, MD.
1
Start on MD 212A
13 ft
·
4 sec
·
Powder Mill Road
2
Turn right onto US 1
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Baltimore Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 West: Silver Spring, Baltimore
4
Merge onto I 95; I 495
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Capital Beltway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 29
Toward MD 193: Wheaton, Langley Park
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
267 ft
·
9 sec
Toward MD 193 West: University Boulevard, Wheaton
Use the right lane.
8
Turn right onto MD 193
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
University Boulevard East
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on MD 193
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
University Boulevard West
10
Turn left onto MD 586
162 ft
·
16 sec
·
Veirs Mill Road
11
Arrive at destination
MD 586
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 4.8 miles from Beltsville, MD, or about 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.9 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 9.5 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.8 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheaton, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Beltsville, MD.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Beltsville, MD
This is one driving day of about 9.5 miles and 17m.
At 9.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 3.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.8 mi from Beltsville, MD · 6m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 9.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.8 miles from Beltsville, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wheaton, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Wheaton, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.57 one way
$3.15 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $1.72 | $3.45 |
| premium | $4.93 | $1.84 | $3.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.10 | $4.19 |
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: 3.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.00 | $0.46 |
| Efficient EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.83 | $0.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.33 | $0.61 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Wheaton, MD
Evening in Wheaton on Wednesday
Local time
6:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SW 12 to 18 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
17m 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 Beltsville, MD to Wheaton, MD covers 9.5 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, University Boulevard West, Baltimore Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.8 miles from Beltsville, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.57 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 9.5 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (US 1 / Baltimore Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Beltsville, MD and Wheaton, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Silver Spring and Langley Park.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 120 ft to 467 ft elevation with about 426 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Wheaton, MD
More from Beltsville, MD
More trips to Wheaton, MD
Explore more options from Beltsville, MD or browse trips ending in Wheaton, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
Explore maps for Beltsville, MD or Wheaton, MD on MapSof.net.