Trip from Gaithersburg, MD to Drum Point, MD

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

84.9 mi

137 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

1h 54m ★

6 AM

2h 3m

8 AM

2h 21m

10 AM

2h 9m

12 PM

2h 7m

3 PM

2h 10m

5 PM

2h 20m

8 PM

1h 58m

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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Gaithersburg, MD

Kristopher Hines

Drum Point, MD

Yan Krukau

Trip Overview

The drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Drum Point, MD covers 84.9 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Capital Beltway, South Solomons Island Road, Southern Maryland Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.9 miles on Capital Beltway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.08 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

42.4 miles from Gaithersburg, MD

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 84.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 2m drive with frequent turns across 84.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.9 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 0.1 miles in near Chestnut Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 84.9 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 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Chestnut Street

Turn left onto Chestnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 270

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9.1 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 270

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park

33.8 mi into trip | ~46m 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

34.2 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro...

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 Drum Point, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Upper Marlboro.

College Park

9.1 mi in | ~13m | via I 270

Upper Marlboro

33.8 mi in | ~46m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Capital Beltway	21.9 mi	28m
South Solomons Island Road	15.2 mi	21m
Southern Maryland Boulevard	10.2 mi	14m
I 270	9.4 mi	12m
North Solomons Island Road	9 mi	13m
Ritchie Marlboro Road	5.9 mi	10m
Stephanie Roper Highway	4.9 mi	6m
Rousby Hall Road	3.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Capital Beltway — 21.9 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

85 ft · 12 sec · this road

Turn left onto MD 355

251 ft · 12 sec · North Frederick Avenue

Turn left onto Chestnut Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Chestnut Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto MD 117

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Diamond Avenue

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward I 270 South: Washington

Merge onto I 270

1.4 mi · 1 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270

6.6 mi · 9 min · I 270

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270

2.8 mi · 3 min · I 270

Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 495

22 mi · 28 min · Capital Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 13 Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road

Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road

286 ft · 4 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road

140 ft · 2 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road

5.2 mi · 9 min · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward MD 4 South: Prince Frederick

Merge onto MD 4

1.3 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MD 4

4.9 mi · 6 min · Stephanie Roper Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MD 4

10 mi · 14 min · Southern Maryland Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on MD 2; MD 4

9.0 mi · 13 min · North Solomons Island Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on MD 2; MD 4

15 mi · 21 min · South Solomons Island Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

237 ft · 12 sec

Turn left onto MD 760

1.4 mi · 2 min · Rousby Hall Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Enter roundabout onto MD 760

180 ft · 4 sec · Rousby Hall Road

Continue on MD 760

1.8 mi · 3 min · Rousby Hall Road

Turn left onto Barreda Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Barreda Boulevard

Turn left onto McMichaels Drive

41 ft · 1 sec · McMichaels Drive

Arrive at destination

McMichaels Drive

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 42.4 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, or about 1h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.9 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 19 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.4 miles or 1h 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Drum Point, 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 84.9 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Gaithersburg, MD.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 21.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.4 mi from Gaithersburg, MD · 1h into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

42 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

Kemp Mill, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bowie, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.4 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Drum Point, MD

The final approach into Drum Point, 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 Drum Point, 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

$14.08 one way

$28.15 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$15.42	$30.83
premium	$4.93	$16.47	$32.93
diesel	$5.61	$18.74	$37.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.5	$8.91	$4.08
Efficient EV	21.2	$7.43	$3.40
EV Truck/SUV	34	$11.89	$5.43

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Gaithersburg, MD

Afternoon in Gaithersburg on Thursday

Local time

12:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Drum Point, MD

Afternoon in Drum Point on Thursday

Local time

12:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

2 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

2h 2m 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 Drum Point, MD covers 84.9 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Capital Beltway, South Solomons Island Road, Southern Maryland Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 42.4 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 $14.08 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.

Between Gaithersburg, MD and Drum Point, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Upper Marlboro.

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Trip from Gaithersburg, MD to Drum Point, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Drum Point, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Gaithersburg, MD

Drum Point, MD

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 2m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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