Origin
Gaithersburg, MD
Afternoon in Gaithersburg on Wednesday
Local time
1:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gaithersburg, MD to Arbutus, MD
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
52m
Distance
38 mi
61 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Arbutus, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 38-mile drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Arbutus, MD is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 52 minutes, making it perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily navigate via the Intercounty Connector and I-95, with a portion on South Frederick Avenue, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $6, this route is quite budget-friendly. Given its short duration and the fact that both locations are within the Northeast region of Maryland, no overnight stops are necessary. This drive is ideal for a quick transit between these two points without significant time commitment.
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
19 miles from Gaithersburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Your journey will be a mixed drive, with 33% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.9 miles on the Intercounty Connector, which offers a more continuous pace. As you transition to I-95 and then South Frederick Avenue, expect a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local road conditions. This variety means you'll experience different road personalities throughout the 52-minute trip, shifting from open highway to more varied traffic patterns as you get closer to Arbutus.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Intercounty Connector is the longest continuous segment at about 15.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 38 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: at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward MD 200 Toll East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MD 200 Toll East
8
19.5 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
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 19C
Toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
7
21.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 198 West: Burtonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 198 West: Burtonsville
8
35.2 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville
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.
Exit 47A-B
Toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshal...
8
35.6 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 166: Catonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 47B
Toward MD 166: Catonsville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Arbutus, MD, road signs point toward Burtonsville and Catonsville.
Burtonsville
19.5 mi in
|
~27m
Catonsville
35.2 mi in
|
~45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Intercounty Connector | 15.9 mi | 20m |
| I 95 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Shady Grove Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Hilltop Circle | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| Metropolitan Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| UMBC Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Intercounty Connector
— 15.9 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Arbutus, MD.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto MD 355
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Frederick Avenue
3
Continue on MD 355
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
4
Continue on MD 355
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Frederick Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Shady Grove Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Shady Grove Road
6
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward MD 200 Toll East
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Intercounty Connector
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 19C
Toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
Toward MD 198: Konterra Drive
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
Toward MD 198 West: Burtonsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
13
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 47A-B
Toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 47B
Toward MD 166: Catonsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto MD 166
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Metropolitan Boulevard
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward UMBC Campus
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto UMBC Boulevard
384 ft
·
13 sec
·
UMBC Boulevard
19
Enter roundabout onto UMBC Boulevard
190 ft
·
5 sec
·
UMBC Boulevard
20
Continue on UMBC Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
UMBC Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto Hilltop Circle
116 ft
·
3 sec
·
Hilltop Circle
22
Continue on Hilltop Circle
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Hilltop Circle
23
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
24
Turn left onto Shelbourne Road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Shelbourne Road
25
Arrive at destination
Shelbourne Road
Trip Plan
For this short 38-mile drive, flexibility is key. You can depart at any time, but consider traffic patterns around Gaithersburg and approaching Arbutus to optimize your travel time. The total duration is only 52 minutes, so you likely won't need any significant stops, and the $6 fuel cost is minimal. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Intercounty Connector to I-95, as this is where the road character changes. Planning to leave mid-morning or early afternoon might help you avoid the busiest commuter hours.
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 19 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.9 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 38 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arbutus, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gaithersburg, 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 Gaithersburg, MD
This is one driving day of about 38 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gaithersburg, 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 Intercounty Connector for about 15.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19 mi from Gaithersburg, MD · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arbutus, MD
The final approach into Arbutus, 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 Arbutus, 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
$6.30 one way
$12.60 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.90 | $13.80 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.37 | $14.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.39 | $16.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.32 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Arbutus, MD
Afternoon in Arbutus on Wednesday
Local time
1:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
17 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
52m 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 Gaithersburg, MD to Arbutus, MD covers 38 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Intercounty Connector, I 95, South Frederick Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19 miles from Gaithersburg, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.30 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 17 significant decision points across 38 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: at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Arbutus, MD, road signs point toward Burtonsville and Catonsville.
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