Origin
Chesapeake Beach, MD
Morning in Chesapeake Beach on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chesapeake Beach, MD to Gaithersburg, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
57.3 mi
92 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesapeake Beach, MD
Carly Dernetz
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
The drive from Chesapeake Beach, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 57.3 miles and takes about 1h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Capital Beltway, I 270, East Chesapeake Beach Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.5 miles on Capital Beltway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.50 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 57.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 25m drive with frequent turns across 57.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 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 18.5 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 0.1 miles in near MD 261 / Bayside Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (MD 261 / Bayside Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 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 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MD 261 / Bayside Road
Turn right onto MD 261 / Bayside Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
15.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward MD 717: Upper Marlboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MD 717: Upper Marlboro
8
35.7 mi into trip
|
~55m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
45.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
7
48.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chesapeake Beach, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward Maryland 4, Prince Frederick, Washington, Baltimore and Silver Spring.
Maryland 4
9.1 mi in
|
~15m
|
via MD 260
Prince Frederick
9.1 mi in
|
~15m
|
via MD 260
Washington
9.1 mi in
|
~15m
|
via MD 260
Baltimore
26.2 mi in
|
~42m
Silver Spring
35.7 mi in
|
~55m
|
via I 495
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 18.5 mi | 24m |
| I 270 | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| East Chesapeake Beach Road | 8.4 mi | 13m |
| Largo Road | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Stephanie Roper Highway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Southern Maryland Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Landover Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Bayside Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 18.5 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake Beach, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on C Street
56 ft
·
11 sec
·
C Street
2
Turn left onto 17th Street
480 ft
·
29 sec
·
17th Street
3
Turn right onto MD 261
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bayside Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn left onto MD 260
8.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Chesapeake Beach Road
5
Take the ramp onto MD 260
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
MD 260
Toward Maryland 4, Prince Frederick, Washington
6
Merge onto MD 4
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southern Maryland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on MD 4
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Stephanie Roper Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward MD 717: Upper Marlboro
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto MD 717
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Water Street
10
Turn right onto MD 725
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street
11
Turn left onto MD 202
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Largo Road
12
Continue on MD 202
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Landover Road
13
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: College Park, Baltimore
14
Merge onto I 95; I 495
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward MD 117, MD 124 South: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Quince Orchard Road
19
Turn left onto MD 117
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Diamond Avenue
20
Turn left onto Meem Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Meem Avenue
21
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Chestnut Street
22
Turn right onto MD 355
251 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Frederick Avenue
23
Turn right
85 ft
·
6 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.6 mi from Chesapeake Beach, MD · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.6 miles from Chesapeake Beach, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.50 one way
$19.00 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.40 | $20.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $11.11 | $22.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.65 | $25.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 20 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Gaithersburg, MD
Morning in Gaithersburg on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 2 to 7 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
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
13 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
1h 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 Chesapeake Beach, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 57.3 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, I 270, East Chesapeake Beach Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.6 miles from Chesapeake Beach, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.50 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 57.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (MD 261 / Bayside Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Chesapeake Beach, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward Maryland 4, Prince Frederick, Washington, Baltimore and Silver Spring.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Monocacy National Battlefield. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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