Origin
Lake Shore, MD
Late night in Lake Shore on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
53m
Distance
48.7 mi
78 km
Drive Score
4/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
The drive from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 48.7 miles and takes about 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
This route mixes long travel segments with more detailed approach driving, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.07 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
Use the map to pace the middle of the drive
Drive Character
Expect a 53m drive with frequent turns across 48.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
The drive from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is easy. At 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
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.
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.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Lake Shore, MD.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Shore, MD
This is one driving day of about 48.7 miles and 53m.
At 48.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Pacing Suggestions
First break window
Fuel and coffeeA short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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
$8.07 one way
$16.15 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.84 | $17.69 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.44 | $18.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.75 | $21.50 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
53m 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 Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 48.7 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.07 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.
The drive from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is easy. At 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lake Shore, MD to Gaithersburg, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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