Origin
Columbia, MD
Evening in Columbia on Friday
Local time
7:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MD to Baltimore, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
28m
Distance
18.1 mi
29 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 33m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Columbia, MD to Baltimore, MD is 18.1 miles and takes about 28 minutes via I 95, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a quick hop between two points in the Northeast region, both within Maryland. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward and efficient trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect relatively fast travel times. This route is ideal for a simple point-to-point journey without needing an overnight stay.
About the Cities
Arriving in Baltimore, MD
Full guide →Slices of American history are around every corner in Baltimore. Maryland's largest city is a gritty old seaport town that's perhaps most famous as the site of Fort McHenry, where, at the height of the War of 1812, the sight of a tattered but defiant American flag flying over the harbor, despite a furious British bombardment, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that was later adapted into the U.S. national anthem "Star-Spangled Banner". Nowadays, Baltimore's nonstop nightlife, temperate climate, tradition of hospitality (they don't call this place "Charm City" for nothing), and cultural attractions — not to mention its prime location on the juncture of Chesapeake Bay — made it one of the major tourist destinations of the Mid-Atlantic region.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 28m. Total distance: 18.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the journey on major roads like I 95 and MD 100. You'll experience the quickest travel during the longest stretch of 9 miles on I 95. While the majority of the route is on high-speed interstates, you'll also navigate some sections on Old Annapolis Road, offering a slight change in pace. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal interruptions as you transition between these main thoroughfares.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and MD 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 18.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 28m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles (MD 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Depart 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...
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
MD 100
Merge onto MD 100
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore
7
15.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Russell Street North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward Russell Street North
6
18.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
East Fayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Columbia, MD to Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Russell Street North along the way.
Russell Street North
15.5 mi in
|
~21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 9 mi | 11m |
| MD 100 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Old Annapolis Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Russell Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Baltimore Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Paca Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Fayette Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 9 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Baltimore, 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
Turn straight onto MD 108
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Annapolis Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward MD 100 East
6
Merge onto MD 100
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
MD 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 5B
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 52
Toward Russell Street North
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on MD 295
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Russell Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on MD 295
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Paca Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Baltimore Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
281 ft
·
25 sec
14
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
212 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Fayette Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Fayette Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.00 one way
$6.00 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.29 | $6.57 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.51 | $7.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.00 | $7.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 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 | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.58 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
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
Baltimore, MD
Evening in Baltimore on Friday
Local time
7:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
28m 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 Baltimore, MD covers 18.1 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, MD 100, Old Annapolis Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.1 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 $3.00 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 short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 18.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 28m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles (MD 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Columbia, MD to Baltimore, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Russell Street North along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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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