Origin
Columbia, MD
Afternoon in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MD to Arlington, MD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
27m
Distance
16.8 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, MD
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
This short 16.8-mile drive from Columbia, MD to Arlington, MD, is easily manageable in just 27 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a quick day trip. You'll primarily navigate via Columbia Pike and I-70, with a portion on the Baltimore Beltway, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $3, this trip is very budget-friendly. Given its brevity and the straightforward nature of the route, there's no need for an overnight stay. This journey stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout.
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
8.4 miles from Columbia, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 32% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 3.9 miles on Columbia Pike, offering a consistent segment before merging onto other roads. As you transition between Columbia Pike, I-70, and the Baltimore Beltway, the driving experience will shift from potentially more local traffic to faster-paced highway travel and back. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Columbia Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 3.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 4.9 miles in.
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 16.8 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 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward I 70 East: Baltimore
8
9.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Tows...
9
9.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 91B
Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Lochearn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18A-B
Toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Loche...
10
12.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18A
Toward MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbia, MD and Arlington, MD, road signs point toward Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Randallstown and Lochearn.
Towson
9.3 mi in
|
~12m
Baltimore
9.3 mi in
|
~12m
Glen Burnie
9.3 mi in
|
~12m
Randallstown
12.5 mi in
|
~17m
Lochearn
12.5 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| I 70 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Liberty Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| West Northern Parkway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Jonquil Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Lewiston Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Columbia Pike
— 3.9 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Arlington, MD.
1
Start on this road
404 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 21B
Toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2
Turn straight onto MD 108
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Clarksville Pike
3
Continue on MD 108
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clarksville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 29 North: Baltimore
5
Merge onto US 29
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward I 70 East: Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 70
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 70
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 91B
Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 695
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
11
Take the exit
394 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 18A-B
Toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Lochearn
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 18A
Toward MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto MD 26
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Liberty Road
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto West Northern Parkway
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Northern Parkway
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Jonquil Avenue
16
Turn left onto West Rogers Avenue
107 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Rogers Avenue
17
Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Jonquil Avenue
18
At end of road, turn left onto Lewiston Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Lewiston Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Cuthbert Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 27-minute drive covering just 16.8 miles, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider departing during off-peak hours to avoid potential traffic, especially if you're traveling on weekdays. With a low fuel cost of $3, you likely won't need to worry about refueling mid-trip. Keep an eye out for the transitions between Columbia Pike and the interstate segments, as these can sometimes involve quicker changes in speed and traffic patterns. There are no designated stops on this route, so plan any necessary breaks before you set off.
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 8.4 miles from Columbia, MD, or about 11m 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 16.8 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.4 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, 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 Columbia, MD
This is one driving day of about 16.8 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Columbia, 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 Columbia Pike for about 3.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.4 mi from Columbia, 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.4 miles from Columbia, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arlington, MD
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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
$2.79 one way
$5.57 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.05 | $6.10 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.26 | $6.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.71 | $7.42 |
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: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.47 | $0.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Arlington, MD
Afternoon in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
18 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
27m 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 Columbia, MD to Arlington, MD covers 16.8 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Columbia Pike, I 70, Baltimore Beltway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.4 miles from Columbia, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.79 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 16.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Columbia, MD and Arlington, MD, road signs point toward Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Randallstown and Lochearn.
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