Origin
Columbia, MD
Evening in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
7:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MD to Dundalk, MD
Drive Time
34m
Distance
22.9 mi
37 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
RDNE Stock project
Dundalk, MD
Jonathan Borba
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Columbia to Dundalk, you are looking at a quick, 22.9-mile journey that typically takes about 34 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as the short duration makes an overnight stay unnecessary. You will primarily navigate via I-95, MD-100, and Old Annapolis Road, keeping your travel time efficient. With an estimated fuel cost of only $4, it is an economical drive for commuters or casual travelers alike. Both locations are situated within the Northeast region of Maryland, ensuring a familiar landscape throughout your transit. Whether you are heading out for work or visiting friends, the simplicity of this trip allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
11.5 miles from Columbia, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 72% of this 22.9-mile trek is spent on high-speed roads. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 13.3-mile stretch on I-95, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the transition from the suburban feel of Columbia to the more industrial surroundings of Dundalk is relatively swift, the road quality remains consistent. You won't find many technical turns or winding backroads here, as the route prioritizes speed and directness over scenery. It is a straightforward, functional drive that gets you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 13.3 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.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 22.9 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: 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 12 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 none / 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
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
17.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| MD 100 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Old Annapolis Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Broening Highway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Keith Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dundalk Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Belclare Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 13.3 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Dundalk, 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
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 95
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto Keith Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Keith Avenue
12
Keep slight right at fork onto Keith Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Keith Avenue
13
Turn straight onto Broening Highway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Broening Highway
14
Turn left onto Belclare Road
490 ft
·
20 sec
·
Belclare Road
15
Turn right onto Dundalk Avenue
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Dundalk Avenue
16
Continue on Dundalk Avenue
285 ft
·
12 sec
·
Dundalk Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
1 ft
·
Dundalk Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this drive is only 34 minutes long, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You can easily complete the entire 22.9-mile trip without needing any scheduled stops, though keep in mind that I-95 can experience heavy traffic during peak commuting hours. Since your fuel budget is quite low at $4, you shouldn't need to worry about mid-trip refueling unless your tank is already near empty. My best advice is to check live traffic reports for I-95 before you depart Columbia, as any congestion on that 13.3-mile highway stretch will be the primary factor in your arrival time. Planning around rush hour will ensure you maintain that 34-minute pace without unnecessary delays.
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 11.5 miles from Columbia, MD, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.3 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 22.9 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.5 miles or 17m 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 Dundalk, 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 22.9 miles and 34m.
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 I 95 for about 13.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.5 mi from Columbia, MD · 17m 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 22.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.5 miles from Columbia, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dundalk, MD
The final approach into Dundalk, 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 Dundalk, 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
$3.79 one way
$7.58 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.15 | $8.29 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.44 | $8.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.09 | $10.18 |
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: 8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.40 | $1.10 |
| Efficient EV | 5.7 | 0 | $2.00 | $0.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Dundalk, MD
Evening in Dundalk on Sunday
Local time
7:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
24 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
34m 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 Dundalk, MD covers 22.9 miles and takes about 34m 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 11.5 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 $3.79 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 12 significant decision points across 22.9 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: 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.
The route from Columbia, MD to Dundalk, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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