Trip from Charlotte Hall, MD to Gaithersburg, MD

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

67.8 mi

109 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 27m ★

6 AM

1h 34m

8 AM

1h 49m

10 AM

1h 39m

12 PM

1h 38m

3 PM

1h 40m

5 PM

1h 48m

8 PM

1h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Charlotte Hall, MD

Lubomir Satko

Gaithersburg, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Charlotte Hall to Gaithersburg, expect a 67.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it covers a manageable distance within Maryland. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $11 for the one-way trek. Since this route connects two points in the Northeast region, you will stay within the same cultural and geographical area throughout. It is a straightforward commute that serves as an efficient way to move between these two Maryland hubs without needing an overnight stay.

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

33.9 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through different types of infrastructure. You will start by transitioning onto Leonardtown Road before shifting into a mix of fast-paced highway segments and local roads. While only 16% of the route is spent on highways, the drive features a notable 27.9-mile stretch along the Capital Beltway. Eventually, you will merge onto I-270 to complete your journey. The character of the road shifts from regional connectors to high-traffic interstate lanes, creating a varied experience behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 20 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 27.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.5 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 67.8 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 18.5 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

18.5 mi into trip | ~27m in | MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward MD 5 North: Washington

27.5 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...

46.2 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring

55.8 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | I 270

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35 Toward I 270 North: Frederick

59.3 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in | I 270

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 North

Towns Along This Route

Between Charlotte Hall, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.

College Park

27.5 mi in | ~39m

Silver Spring

46.2 mi in | ~1h 4m | via I 495

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Capital Beltway	27.9 mi	36m
I 270	10.9 mi	14m
Leonardtown Road	10.6 mi	14m
Branch Avenue	9 mi	11m
Mattawoman Beantown Road	3.3 mi	5m
Crain Highway	2.5 mi	3m
Three Notch Road	1 mi	1m
Charlotte Hall Road	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Capital Beltway — 27.9 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte Hall, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.

Start on this road

170 ft · 13 sec · this road

Turn right onto Charlotte Hall Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Charlotte Hall Road

Turn right onto Golden Beach Road

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Golden Beach Road

Turn left onto MD 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · Three Notch Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on MD 5

11 mi · 14 min · Leonardtown Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto MD 5

3.3 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road

Merge onto US 301; MD 5

2.5 mi · 3 min · Crain Highway

Use the left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5

9.0 mi · 11 min · Branch Avenue

Toward MD 5 North: Washington Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 95; I 495

18 mi · 24 min · Capital Beltway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 495

9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway

Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 270

Exit 35 Toward I 270 North: Frederick Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270

7.3 mi · 9 min · I 270

Toward I 270 North Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward MD 117, MD 124 South: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Quince Orchard Road

Turn left onto MD 117

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West Diamond Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Meem Avenue

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Meem Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Chestnut Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Chestnut Street

Turn right onto MD 355

251 ft · 6 sec · North Frederick Avenue

Turn right

85 ft · 6 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this route includes heavy-traffic corridors like the Capital Beltway and I-270, timing your departure is essential to avoid the worst of the regional congestion. Since the drive is relatively short at under two hours, you have the flexibility to make the trip in one go without needing scheduled stops for rest. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the denser highway sections to ensure you don't need to exit for gas in high-traffic areas. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor live traffic reports for the Capital Beltway, as that 27.9-mile stretch is the most likely place to encounter significant delays.

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 33.9 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 67.8 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 33.9 miles or 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gaithersburg, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Charlotte Hall, 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 Charlotte Hall, MD

This is one driving day of about 67.8 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlotte Hall, 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 Capital Beltway for about 27.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 33.9 mi from Charlotte Hall, MD · 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

34 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

Rockville, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Gaithersburg, MD

The final approach into Gaithersburg, 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 Gaithersburg, 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

$11.22 one way

$22.44 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$12.28	$24.55
premium	$4.92	$13.14	$26.28
diesel	$5.64	$15.06	$30.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	20.3	$7.12	$3.25
Efficient EV	17	$5.93	$2.71
EV Truck/SUV	27.1	$9.49	$4.34

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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.

Forecast data refreshed 11 hours ago

Origin

Charlotte Hall, MD

Evening in Charlotte Hall on Sunday

Local time

7:59 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gaithersburg, MD

Evening in Gaithersburg on Sunday

Local time

7:59 PM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

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

26 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

1h 34m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Charlotte Hall, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 67.8 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Capital Beltway, I 270, Leonardtown Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 33.9 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.22 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.

Between Charlotte Hall, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.

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Return Trip

Gaithersburg, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD

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66.9 mi 1h 35m

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Trip from Charlotte Hall, MD to Gaithersburg, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Gaithersburg, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Charlotte Hall, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

Same local time

26 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 34m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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