Origin
Gaithersburg, MD
Morning in Gaithersburg on Friday
Local time
8:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gaithersburg, MD to Arlington, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
45.6 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Arlington, MD
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Arlington, MD covers 45.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Columbia Pike, Intercounty Connector, I 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.5 miles on Columbia Pike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 45.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 6m drive with frequent turns across 45.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Columbia Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 16.5 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 16.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.6 miles you will encounter 19 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 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
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 16A-B
Toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
8
38.1 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
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 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Tows...
9
38.3 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 91B
Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
8
41.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Lochearn
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 18A-B
Toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Loche...
10
41.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18A
Toward MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn
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 Arlington, MD, road signs point toward Columbia, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Randallstown and Lochearn.
Columbia
16.4 mi in
|
~23m
Towson
38.1 mi in
|
~52m
Baltimore
38.1 mi in
|
~52m
Glen Burnie
38.1 mi in
|
~52m
Randallstown
41.3 mi in
|
~57m
Lochearn
41.3 mi in
|
~57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 16.5 mi | 21m |
| Intercounty Connector | 12.8 mi | 16m |
| I 70 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Liberty Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| West Northern Parkway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Shady Grove Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Columbia Pike
— 16.5 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Arlington, 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
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Intercounty Connector
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 16A-B
Toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 16B
Toward US 29 North: Columbia
10
Merge onto US 29
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward I 70 East: Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 70
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 91B-A
Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 91B
Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 695
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
16
Take the exit
394 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 18A-B
Toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Lochearn
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 18A
Toward MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto MD 26
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Liberty Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West Northern Parkway
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Northern Parkway
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Jonquil Avenue
21
Turn left onto West Rogers Avenue
107 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Rogers Avenue
22
Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Jonquil Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto Lewiston Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Lewiston Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Cuthbert Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.8 mi from Gaithersburg, MD · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arlington, MD
The final approach into Arlington, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.56 one way
$15.12 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.28 | $16.56 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.84 | $17.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.07 | $20.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| Efficient EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.38 | $2.92 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Arlington, MD
Morning in Arlington on Friday
Local time
8:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 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 6m 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 Arlington, MD covers 45.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Columbia Pike, Intercounty Connector, I 70. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.8 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 $7.56 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 45.6 miles you will encounter 19 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 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Arlington, MD, road signs point toward Columbia, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Randallstown and Lochearn.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Monocacy National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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