Origin
Odenton, MD
Late night in Odenton on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Odenton, MD to Gaithersburg, MD
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
49m
Distance
36.3 mi
58 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Odenton, MD
RDNE Stock project
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
This 36.3-mile drive from Odenton, MD to Gaithersburg, MD should take you about 49 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward trip within the Northeast region, making it an easy day trip with no need for an overnight stay. You'll be sharing the road with significant highway driving, accounting for 43% of the journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $6, which is quite economical for this distance. Overall, expect a mixed driving experience that's efficient for getting from point A to point B.
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
18.1 miles from Odenton, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a mix, with nearly half of it utilizing major highways like I-95 and the Intercounty Connector. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced travel, especially on the 15.7-mile segment along the Intercounty Connector. The remaining portion of the drive will likely involve navigating through more local traffic and varying speed limits as you transition between the main arteries. It’s not a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a practical blend of efficient highway use and moderate-speed road conditions.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Intercounty Connector is the longest continuous segment at about 15.7 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 1.6 miles in near MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 36.3 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 1.6 miles (MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway
Merge onto MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
10 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 13B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
5
10.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
17 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward MD 200 Toll West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31B
Toward MD 200 Toll West
8
34.1 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
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 2
Toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Intercounty Connector | 15.7 mi | 19m |
| Patuxent Freeway | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| I 95 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Annapolis Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| I 370 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Piney Orchard Parkway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Intercounty Connector
— 15.7 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Odenton, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on Piney Orchard Parkway
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Piney Orchard Parkway
2
Turn left onto MD 175
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Annapolis Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MD 32 West: Columbia
4
Merge onto MD 32
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Patuxent Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 13B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 95
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 31B
Toward MD 200 Toll West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Intercounty Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on MD 200 Toll
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Intercounty Connector
Exit 8A
10
Continue on I 370
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 370
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 2
Toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto MD 355
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Frederick Road
13
Continue on MD 355
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
14
Turn left
85 ft
·
6 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 49 minutes, this route is best tackled during off-peak hours to avoid any potential delays, especially if you're connecting via I-95. Plan to leave early in the morning or later in the evening. Since it's a relatively short drive with a low fuel cost of about $6, you won't need extensive rest stops, but it's always good to be aware of your fuel gauge. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 15.7 miles on the Intercounty Connector, so keep an eye on your surroundings as you transition off this main thoroughfare into Gaithersburg.
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 18.1 miles from Odenton, MD, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.7 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 36.3 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.1 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gaithersburg, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Odenton, 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 Odenton, MD
This is one driving day of about 36.3 miles and 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Odenton, 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 Intercounty Connector for about 15.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.1 mi from Odenton, MD · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Odenton, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gaithersburg, MD
The final approach into Gaithersburg, 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 Gaithersburg, 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
$6.02 one way
$12.04 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.59 | $13.18 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.04 | $14.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.01 | $16.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.18 | $1.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 AM
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
2 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
49m 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 Odenton, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 36.3 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Intercounty Connector, Patuxent Freeway, I 95. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.1 miles from Odenton, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.02 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 9 significant decision points across 36.3 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 1.6 miles (MD 32 / Patuxent Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Odenton, MD to Gaithersburg, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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