Trip from Montgomery Village, MD to College Park, MD

Drive Time

41m

Distance

26.2 mi

42 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 38m ★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Montgomery Village, MD, MD

Montgomery Village, MD

Altamart

Downtown College Park, MD, MD

College Park, MD

Styves Exantus

Trip Overview

Spanning 26.2 miles, this trip from Montgomery Village to College Park is a straightforward commute across Maryland. You can expect the drive to take approximately 41 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of just $4, this is a highly economical route that requires no overnight stays. The drive moves entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning between suburban hubs. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this route offers a reliable, no-fuss connection between two major Maryland communities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

13.1 miles from Montgomery Village, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed interstate travel with local navigation. You will spend 36% of the trip on highways, primarily utilizing I-270 and the Capital Beltway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 9.4 miles on I-270, which provides a brief period of steady cruising before you transition onto Adelphi Road. As you move away from the interstate, the pace shifts from highway speeds to the more measured flow of local roads. It is a functional, efficient drive that requires you to stay alert as the road type changes.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 270 is the longest continuous segment at about 9.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

472 ft 72 ft

Total Climb

345 ft

Total Descent

660 ft

Highest Point

472 ft

~6.6 mi in

Elevation Range

400 ft

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 3.1 miles in near I 270 / Eisenhower Memorial Highway.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 26.2 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 3.1 miles (I 270 / Eisenhower Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 270 / Eisenhower Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 270 / Eisenhower Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
5.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 270

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
12 mi into trip | ~18m 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
22 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South, Takoma Park

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28B Toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South...
6
22.7 mi into trip | ~33m in | Adelphi Road

Turn left onto Adelphi Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Montgomery Village, MD to College Park, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Takoma Park along the way.

Takoma Park

22 mi in | ~31m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 270 9.4 mi 12m
Capital Beltway 7.3 mi 9m
Adelphi Road 2.3 mi 4m
Eisenhower Memorial Highway 2.2 mi 3m
Montgomery Village Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
Mowatt Lane 0.4 mi 1m
Quince Orchard Road 0.4 mi <1m
New Hampshire Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 270 — 9.4 mi, about 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery Village, MD and College Park, MD.

1

Start on Stewartown Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Stewartown Road
2

Turn left onto Montgomery Village Avenue

2.1 mi · 4 min · Montgomery Village Avenue
3

Continue on MD 124

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Quince Orchard Road
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 270 South: Washington
5

Merge onto I 270

2.2 mi · 3 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 270

6.6 mi · 9 min · I 270
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7

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.
8

Merge onto I 495

7.3 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
Use the none lane.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 28B Toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South, Takoma Park Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn straight onto MD 650

0.4 mi · 55 sec · New Hampshire Avenue
Use the none lane.
11

Turn left onto Adelphi Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · Adelphi Road
Use the none lane.
12

Turn left onto Campus Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Campus Drive
13

Enter roundabout onto Mowatt Lane

46 ft · 1 sec · Mowatt Lane
14

Continue on Mowatt Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · Mowatt Lane
15

Turn left onto Knox Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Knox Road
16

Arrive at destination

Knox Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 41-minute jaunt, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops, as the distance is short enough to drive in one go. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the Capital Beltway can fluctuate, so checking live updates before you leave is a smart move. Because the route is so direct, fuel up before you head out to avoid mid-trip errands. Your best bet is to plan your departure around local rush hours to ensure the smoothest possible experience on the transition to Adelphi Road.

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 13.1 miles from Montgomery Village, MD, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.4 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 26.2 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.1 miles or 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Park, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Montgomery Village, 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 Montgomery Village, MD

This is one driving day of about 26.2 miles and 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Montgomery Village, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 270 for about 9.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.1 mi from Montgomery Village, MD · 19m into the drive

Downtown Rockville, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockville, MD

13 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Bethesda, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.1 miles from Montgomery Village, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in College Park, MD

The final approach into College Park, 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 College Park, 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

$4.34 one way

$8.67 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $4.74 $9.49
premium $4.92 $5.08 $10.15
diesel $5.64 $5.82 $11.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 7.9 0 $2.75 $1.26
Efficient EV 6.6 0 $2.29 $1.05
EV Truck/SUV 10.5 0 $3.67 $1.68

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 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 data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Montgomery Village, MD

Evening in Montgomery Village on Sunday

Local time

5:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

College Park, MD

Evening in College Park on Sunday

Local time

5:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

88°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

26 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

41m 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 Montgomery Village, MD to College Park, MD covers 26.2 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 270, Capital Beltway, Adelphi Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.1 miles from Montgomery Village, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.34 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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 26.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 270 / Eisenhower Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Montgomery Village, MD to College Park, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Takoma Park along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 72 ft to 472 ft elevation with about 345 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

College Park, MD to Montgomery Village, MD

Plan the drive back the other way.

26.2 mi 41m

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