Origin
Columbia, MD
Evening in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
6:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MD to College Park, MD
Drive Time
35m
Distance
21.2 mi
34 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
RDNE Stock project
College Park, MD
Styves Exantus
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Columbia to College Park, you can expect a quick 21.2-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel should easily cover your transit between these two Maryland locations. Since the entire route stays within the Northeast region, you will find the transition between these locales straightforward and consistent. Because there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to make this drive whenever it fits your schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you where you need to go without the complication of long-distance planning.
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
10.6 miles from Columbia, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads like Columbia Pike, Cherry Hill Road, and Baltimore Avenue. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 13.6 miles while traveling along Columbia Pike. Because the route relies entirely on local surface streets, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience with frequent intersections and turns. This lack of highway access means the pace is dictated by local traffic patterns rather than open-road cruising, giving the trip a distinctly urban and suburban feel from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 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 13.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
496 ft
66 ft
Total Climb
308 ft
Total Descent
643 ft
Highest Point
496 ft
~10.6 mi in
Elevation Range
430 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.2 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start: 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; at 14.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge onto US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
14.4 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill Road
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 E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill Road
5
14.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Cherry Hill Road
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
18.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Turn right onto US 1 / Baltimore Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Cherry Hill Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Baltimore Avenue | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Knox Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Columbia Pike
— 13.6 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and College Park, 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
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Clarksville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 29 South: Columbia, Town Center
5
Merge onto US 29
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill Road
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Cherry Hill Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 1
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Baltimore Avenue
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto Knox Road
310 ft
·
15 sec
·
Knox Road
Use the left lane.
10
Arrive at destination
Knox Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are navigating local roads rather than highways, keep in mind that traffic congestion can impact your travel duration significantly during peak hours. There are no planned stops on this route, allowing you to complete the 21.2-mile trip in one continuous flow if you prefer. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, stay alert and keep your navigation system active to manage the transitions between Columbia Pike and the subsequent local roads. A helpful tip for this specific route is to check real-time traffic alerts before leaving, as surface street accidents can cause more significant delays than they would on a major interstate.
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 10.6 miles from Columbia, MD, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.6 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 21.2 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.6 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Park, 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 21.2 miles and 35m.
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 13.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.6 mi from Columbia, MD · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.6 miles from Columbia, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in College Park, MD
The final approach into College Park, 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 College Park, 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
$3.51 one way
$7.02 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.84 | $7.68 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.71 | $9.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.23 | $1.02 |
| Efficient EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.85 | $0.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
College Park, MD
Evening in College Park on Sunday
Local time
6:49 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
2 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
35m 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 College Park, MD covers 21.2 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Columbia Pike, Cherry Hill Road, Baltimore Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.6 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 $3.51 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 21.2 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start: 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; at 14.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Columbia, MD to College Park, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 66 ft to 496 ft elevation with about 308 ft of total climbing.
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