The drive from Fort Washington, MD to Brunswick, MD covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dulles Greenway, Capital Beltway, Dulles Toll Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 13.5 miles on Dulles Greenway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.40 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.
Midpoint
37.4 miles from Fort Washington, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 74.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 46m drive with frequent turns across 74.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dulles Greenway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.8 miles you will encounter 23 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 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, Baltimore
9
8.1 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Washington, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Wa...
8
8.3 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond
8
29.5 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 45
Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulle...
9
55 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Washington, MD and Brunswick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Richmond, Herndon, Dulles Airport and Charles Town.
Baltimore
7.9 mi in|~13m
Richmond
8.1 mi in|~13m
Herndon
29.5 mi in|~41m
Dulles Airport
29.5 mi in|~41m
Charles Town
59.9 mi in|~1h 21m|via VA 7 BUS
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dulles Greenway
13.5 mi
16m
Capital Beltway
12.5 mi
15m
Dulles Toll Road
11.3 mi
15m
Capital Beltway (Thru)
8 mi
10m
Indian Head Highway
5.7 mi
8m
Berlin Turnpike
5.6 mi
7m
Charles Town Pike
5.2 mi
8m
Leesburg Pike
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Dulles Greenway
— 13.5 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington, MD and Brunswick, MD.
1
Start on Warburton Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Warburton Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Fort Washington Road
0.3 mi·54 sec·Fort Washington Road
3
Turn right onto Old Fort Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Fort Road
4
Turn left onto MD 210
5.7 mi·8 min·Indian Head Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Washington, RichmondUse the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: RichmondUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95; I 495
8.0 mi·10 min·Capital Beltway (Thru)
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
0.7 mi·47 sec·Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 495
2.4 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway
Exit 170AToward I 495 North: Tysons CornerUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi·11 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 45Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles AirportUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto VA 267
1.1 mi·1 min·Dulles Toll Road
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·22 sec
15
Merge onto VA 267
10 mi·13 min·Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on VA 267
14 mi·16 min·Dulles Greenway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward US 15 South, VA 7 West: LeesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 15; VA 7
0.5 mi·39 sec·Leesburg Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on VA 7
3.8 mi·5 min·Leesburg Pike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Take the exit onto VA 7 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·VA 7 BUS
Toward VA 9: Hillsboro, Charles TownUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 7 BUS
183 ft·7 sec·VA 7 BUS
Toward VA 9 East, VA 7 West
22
Enter roundabout onto VA 9
29 ft·0 sec·Charles Town Pike
Toward Charlesh Town Pike
23
Continue on VA 9
5.2 mi·8 min·Charles Town Pike
Toward Charlesh Town Pike
24
Turn right onto VA 287
5.6 mi·7 min·Berlin Turnpike
25
Continue on VA 287
1.0 mi·2 min·South Berlin Pike
26
Continue on VA 287
105 ft·3 sec·Town Square
Use the left lane.
27
Turn slight right onto VA 287
2.4 mi·4 min·VA 287
28
Continue on MD 17
0.5 mi·1 min·Petersville Road
29
Enter roundabout onto Petersville Road
66 ft·1 sec·Petersville Road
30
Continue on Petersville Road
90 ft·10 sec·Petersville Road
31
Continue on Petersville Road
72 ft·2 sec·Petersville Road
32
Arrive at destination
Petersville Road
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 37.4 miles from Fort Washington, MD, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.5 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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.4 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brunswick, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Washington, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Washington, MD
This is one driving day of about 74.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Fort Washington, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dulles Greenway for about 13.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.4 mi from Fort Washington, MD
· 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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!
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 59.3
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$20
near mile 74.8
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 74.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.40 one way
$24.80 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.58
$27.16
premium
$4.93
$14.51
$29.01
diesel
$5.61
$16.51
$33.03
Estimated Tolls: $6.03
Dulles Greenway
(13.5 mi)$3.38
Dulles Toll Road
(11.3 mi)$2.26
Berlin Turnpike
(5.6 mi)$0.39
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.85
$3.59
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.54
$2.99
EV Truck/SUV
29.9
0
$10.47
$4.79
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Washington, MD
Late night
in Fort Washington on Saturday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brunswick, MD
Late night
in Brunswick on Saturday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
1h 46m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Washington, MD to Brunswick, MD covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dulles Greenway, Capital Beltway, Dulles Toll Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.4 miles from Fort Washington, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.40 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 74.8 miles you will encounter 23 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 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Washington, MD and Brunswick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, Richmond, Herndon, Dulles Airport and Charles Town.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
