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Trip from Cresaptown, MD to Gaithersburg, MD

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

117.6 mi

189 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Gaithersburg, MD, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

The drive from Cresaptown, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 117.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, National Freeway, Eisenhower Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.3 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.46 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

58.8 miles from Cresaptown, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Cresaptown, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 117.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 48.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 220 / McMullen Highway Southwest.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 18m drive. You will face about 6 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 (US 220 / McMullen Highway Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (I 68; US 40 / National Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 70 Exit 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 220 / McMullen Highway Southwest

Turn right onto US 220 / McMullen Highway Southwest

Navigation decision point

5
5 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 68; US 40 / National Freeway

Merge onto I 68; US 40 / National Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.1 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | I 70 Exit 53

Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 53 toward I 270 South: Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 53 Toward I 270 South: Washington
8
115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward MD 124: Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard 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. Exit 11 Toward MD 124: Montgomery Village Avenue, Quinc...
5
116.3 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MD 124 North: Montgomery Village Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MD 124 North: Montgomery Village Avenue

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 48.3 mi 51m
National Freeway 38.5 mi 43m
Eisenhower Memorial Highway 19.9 mi 24m
McMullen Highway Southwest 4.7 mi 9m
I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway) 3.3 mi 3m
North Frederick Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
Quince Orchard Road 0.4 mi <1m
I 70 Exit 53 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 48.3 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cresaptown, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.

1

Start on Winchester Road Southwest

141 ft · 8 sec · Winchester Road Southwest
2

Turn right onto US 220

4.7 mi · 9 min · McMullen Highway Southwest
3

Take the ramp onto US 220

0.4 mi · 45 sec · US 220
4

Merge onto I 68; US 40

39 mi · 43 min · National Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on I 70; US 40

4.7 mi · 5 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
6

Continue on I 70; US 40

3.3 mi · 3 min · I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
7

Continue on I 70

44 mi · 46 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
8

Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 53

0.4 mi · 51 sec · I 70 Exit 53
Exit 53 Toward I 270 South: Washington Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 270

20 mi · 24 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 11 Toward MD 124: Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

127 ft · 5 sec
Toward MD 124 North: Montgomery Village Avenue
12

Turn left onto MD 124

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Quince Orchard Road
13

Turn right onto MD 355

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Frederick Avenue
14

Turn right

85 ft · 6 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 58.8 miles from Cresaptown, MD, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.3 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.8 miles or 1h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gaithersburg, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cresaptown, 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 Cresaptown, MD

This is one driving day of about 117.6 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cresaptown, 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 Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 48.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.8 mi from Cresaptown, MD · 1h 9m into the drive

Downtown Washington, DC, DC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, DC

59 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

Washington, DC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington, DC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.8 miles from Cresaptown, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Gaithersburg, MD

The final approach into Gaithersburg, 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 Gaithersburg, MD.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Monocacy National Battlefield

Monocacy National Battlefield

National Battlefield

During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 97.3
View on nps.gov
Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield

National Battlefield

23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour $20 near mile 81.1
View on nps.gov
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour $20 near mile 117.6
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 105.4
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

National Historical Park

At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour $20 near mile 85.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.46 one way

$38.92 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $21.29 $42.59
premium $4.92 $22.79 $45.58
diesel $5.64 $26.13 $52.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.3 0 $12.35 $5.64
Efficient EV 29.4 0 $10.29 $4.70
EV Truck/SUV 47 0 $16.46 $7.53

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Cresaptown, MD

Morning in Cresaptown on Monday

Local time

9:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gaithersburg, MD

Morning in Gaithersburg on Monday

Local time

9:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

68°F

Washington, DC

59 mi in

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 18m 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 Cresaptown, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 117.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, National Freeway, Eisenhower Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.8 miles from Cresaptown, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.46 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 straightforward 2h 18m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 220 / McMullen Highway Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (I 68; US 40 / National Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 70 Exit 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cresaptown, MD to Gaithersburg, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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