Origin
Columbia, MD
Evening in Columbia on Thursday
Local time
6:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MD to Marlton, MD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
43.2 mi
69 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Marlton, MD
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, MD to Marlton, MD covers 43.2 miles and takes about 1h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Ritchie Marlboro Road, Columbia Pike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.3 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 43.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 4m highway drive covering 43.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Ritchie Marlboro Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 24.3 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 24.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Ritchie Marlboro Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 43.2 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward MD 32 East: Fort Meade
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 16A
Toward MD 32 East: Fort Meade
6
5.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Shaker Drive, Eden Brook Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Shaker Drive, Eden Brook Drive
7
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
8
32.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
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 13
Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
7
39.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward Old Crain Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Old Crain Highway
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 Marlton, MD, road signs point toward Upper Marlboro and Old Crain Highway.
Upper Marlboro
32.7 mi in
|
~44m
Old Crain Highway
39.4 mi in
|
~56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 24.3 mi | 30m |
| Ritchie Marlboro Road | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| Columbia Pike | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Patuxent Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Old Crain Highway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Trumps Hill Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Crain Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 24.3 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Marlton, 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
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Columbia Pike
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16A
Toward MD 32 East: Fort Meade
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Shaker Drive, Eden Brook Drive
8
Merge onto MD 32
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Patuxent Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95
24 mi
·
30 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 13
Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road
13
Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
286 ft
·
4 sec
·
Ritchie Marlboro Road
14
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ritchie Marlboro Road
15
Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
140 ft
·
2 sec
·
Ritchie Marlboro Road
16
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Ritchie Marlboro Road
17
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
5.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Ritchie Marlboro Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward MD 4 South: Prince Frederick
19
Merge onto MD 4
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Old Crain Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Old Crain Highway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Crain Highway
22
Turn right onto US 301
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Crain Highway
23
Turn left onto MD 382
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Croom Road
24
Turn right onto Trumps Hill Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Trumps Hill Road
25
Turn left onto North Marlton Avenue
422 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Marlton Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
North Marlton Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.6 mi from Columbia, MD · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from Columbia, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Marlton, MD
The final approach into Marlton, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.16 one way
$14.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.84 | $15.69 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.38 | $16.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.05 | $2.76 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Marlton, MD
Evening in Marlton on Thursday
Local time
6:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
20 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
1h 4m 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 Marlton, MD covers 43.2 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Ritchie Marlboro Road, Columbia Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.6 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 $7.16 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 43.2 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Columbia, MD and Marlton, MD, road signs point toward Upper Marlboro and Old Crain Highway.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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