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Create accountDrive Time
59m
Distance
43.2 mi
70 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
RDNE Stock project
If you are looking to travel from Gaithersburg to Baltimore, expect a straightforward 43.2-mile journey that typically takes about 59 minutes. This route is a classic day trip, easily manageable in a single day without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of local roads like South Frederick Avenue and major arteries including the Intercounty Connector and I-95. With a fuel cost of just $7, it is an incredibly budget-friendly transit between these two Maryland hubs. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, the transition is seamless and familiar for those accustomed to the area.
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
21.6 miles from Gaithersburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local navigation with heavy-duty highway transit. Roughly 41% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a blend of suburban movement and faster interstate flow. You should prepare for a consistent pace, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 17.9 miles specifically on I-95. As you transition away from the local streets of Gaithersburg, the road character shifts from regional thoroughfares into a more structured, high-speed interstate environment. It is a functional drive that trades scenic variety for direct efficiency.
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 43.2 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 20.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left toward MD 200 Toll East
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 198 West: Burtonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Russell Street North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Baltimore, MD, road signs point toward Burtonsville and Russell Street North.
Burtonsville
Russell Street North
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 17.9 mi | 21m |
| Intercounty Connector | 15.9 mi | 20m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Shady Grove Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Russell Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Baltimore Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Paca Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Baltimore, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right onto MD 355
Continue on MD 355
Continue on MD 355
Turn left onto Shady Grove Road
Turn left
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Continue on MD 295
Continue on MD 295
Turn right onto West Baltimore Street
Turn left
At end of road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a quick 59-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep traffic patterns on I-95 in mind during peak hours. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops given the short distance, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep your $7 fuel budget in mind, but remember that traffic flow can fluctuate significantly on the major connectors. To make the most of your time, check real-time traffic reports for the Intercounty Connector before you leave, as this segment can be a critical factor in your total travel time. Enjoy the efficiency of this direct route across Maryland.
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.
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 43.2 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.6 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baltimore, MD than in the middle of the route.
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 43.2 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.6 mi from Gaithersburg, 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.
A short stop after about 43.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Baltimore, 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 Baltimore, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.15 one way
$14.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $7.82 | $15.64 |
| premium | $4.92 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.60 | $19.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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