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Create accountDrive Time
24m
Distance
15.4 mi
25 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
RDNE Stock project
Calverton, MD
RDNE Stock project
The drive from Columbia, MD to Calverton, MD covers 15.4 miles and takes about 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Columbia Pike, Briggs Chaney Road, Dunnington Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12 miles on Columbia Pike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.55 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.7 miles from Columbia, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Expect a 24m drive with frequent turns across 15.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
349 ft
Total Descent
474 ft
Highest Point
490 ft
~10.9 mi in
Elevation Range
234 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 24m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles (US 29 / Columbia Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Depart toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the ramp toward US 29 South: Columbia, Town Center
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Briggs Chaney Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Briggs Chaney Road
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 12 mi | 16m |
| Briggs Chaney Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Dunnington Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Calverton, MD.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto MD 108
Continue on MD 108
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 29
Take the exit
Turn left onto Briggs Chaney Road
Turn right onto Dunnington Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 15.4 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.7 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calverton, MD than in the middle of the route.
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 15.4 miles and 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.7 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.
A short stop after about 15.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 7.7 miles from Columbia, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Calverton, 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 Calverton, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.55 one way
$5.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.79 | $5.58 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.98 | $5.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.42 | $6.84 |
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: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.35 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
8:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Calverton on Sunday
Local time
8:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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