The drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Long Beach, MD covers 75.1 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Capital Beltway, Southern Maryland Boulevard, I 270 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 $12.45 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
37.6 miles from Gaithersburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 75.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 52m drive with frequent turns across 75.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.1 miles you will encounter 21 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 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 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Chestnut Street
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
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.
8
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
8
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
6
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 Long Beach, 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
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
South Solomons Island Road
5.3 mi
7m
Stephanie Roper Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Calvert Beach Road
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 21.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Long Beach, MD.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto MD 355
251 ft·12 sec·North Frederick Avenue
3
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto MD 117
0.5 mi·1 min·West Diamond Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 270 South: Washington
6
Merge onto I 270
1.4 mi·1 min·Eisenhower Memorial Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
6.6 mi·9 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
2.8 mi·3 min·I 270
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College ParkUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 495
22 mi·28 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper MarlboroUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road
12
Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
286 ft·4 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
13
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
14
Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
140 ft·2 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
15
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
0.4 mi·41 sec·Ritchie Marlboro Road
16
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
5.2 mi·9 min·Ritchie Marlboro Road
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MD 4 South: Prince Frederick
18
Merge onto MD 4
1.3 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on MD 4
4.9 mi·6 min·Stephanie Roper Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on MD 4
10 mi·14 min·Southern Maryland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on MD 2; MD 4
9.0 mi·13 min·North Solomons Island Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on MD 2; MD 4
5.3 mi·7 min·South Solomons Island Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto West End Boulevard
0.1 mi·20 sec·West End Boulevard
24
Turn right onto MD 765
1.4 mi·2 min·Saint Leonard Road
25
Enter roundabout onto Calvert Beach Road
145 ft·3 sec·Calvert Beach Road
26
Continue on Calvert Beach Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Calvert Beach Road
27
Turn slight right onto Bayview Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Bayview Avenue
28
Continue on Valley Drive
0.2 mi·49 sec·Valley Drive
29
Turn left onto Elm Road
425 ft·18 sec·Elm Road
30
Turn right onto South Harbor Drive
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Harbor Drive
31
Turn left onto Long Beach Drive
0.2 mi·43 sec·Long Beach Drive
32
Turn right onto Bayview Road
141 ft·6 sec·Bayview Road
33
Arrive at destination
Bayview 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 37.6 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, or about 53m 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 53m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gaithersburg, MD
This is one driving day of about 75.1 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 37.6 mi from Gaithersburg, MD
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Long Beach, MD
The final approach into Long Beach, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
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!
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 75.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.45 one way
$24.90 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.64
$27.27
premium
$4.93
$14.56
$29.13
diesel
$5.61
$16.58
$33.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 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
22.5
0
$7.89
$3.60
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.57
$3.00
EV Truck/SUV
30
0
$10.51
$4.81
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 15, 2026
Origin
Gaithersburg, MD
Afternoon
in Gaithersburg on Thursday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, MD
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Thursday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
31 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
1h 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 Long Beach, MD covers 75.1 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Southern Maryland Boulevard, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.6 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 $12.45 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 75.1 miles you will encounter 21 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 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.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Long Beach, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Upper Marlboro.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
