Origin
Glenarden, MD
Late night in Glenarden on Friday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glenarden, MD to Gaithersburg, MD
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
45m
Distance
31.2 mi
50 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glenarden, MD
Jonathan Borba
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
This 31.2-mile drive from Glenarden, MD, to Gaithersburg, MD, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 45 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate the Capital Beltway and I-270, with a short segment on Whitfield Chapel Road. Given its proximity within Maryland's Northeast region, this trip is straightforward and efficient. Expect a fuel cost of around $5 for this journey. It's a convenient option for a quick trip, whether for business or leisure, without the need for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 45m. Total distance: 31.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 35% of it being highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.6 miles on the Capital Beltway, providing a period of consistent speed. As you transition to I-270, the character remains largely that of a major artery, designed for efficient transit. The final portion on Whitfield Chapel Road introduces a slight change of pace before reaching your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 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 15.6 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 0.7 miles in near Ardwick Ardmore Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 31.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Ardwick Ardmore Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Ardwick Ardmore Road
Turn sharp left onto Ardwick Ardmore Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...
8
9.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
19.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
7
22.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Glenarden, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
College Park
3.2 mi in
|
~7m
Silver Spring
9.6 mi in
|
~15m
|
via I 495
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 15.6 mi | 20m |
| I 270 | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| Whitfield Chapel Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Brightseat Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Diamond Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Annapolis Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Chestnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 15.6 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenarden, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on McLain Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
McLain Avenue
2
Turn left onto Brightseat Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Brightseat Road
3
Turn sharp left onto Ardwick Ardmore Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Ardwick Ardmore Road
4
Turn right onto MD 704
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Whitfield Chapel Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitfield Chapel Road
Use the left lane.
6
At end of road, turn left onto MD 450
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Annapolis Road
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 95; I 495
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 270
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward MD 117, MD 124 South: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Quince Orchard Road
13
Turn left onto MD 117
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Diamond Avenue
14
Turn left onto Meem Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Meem Avenue
15
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Chestnut Street
16
Turn right onto MD 355
251 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Frederick Avenue
17
Turn right
85 ft
·
6 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.6 mi from Glenarden, MD · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.6 miles from Glenarden, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gaithersburg, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Gaithersburg, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.17 one way
$10.35 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.67 | $11.33 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.05 | $12.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.28 | $1.50 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.73 | $1.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.37 | $2.00 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Friday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
45m 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 Glenarden, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 31.2 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, I 270, Whitfield Chapel Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.6 miles from Glenarden, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.17 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 short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 31.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Ardwick Ardmore Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Glenarden, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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