Origin
Rockville, MD
Afternoon in Rockville on Wednesday
Local time
3:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockville, MD to Arlington, MD
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
42 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockville, MD
Jonathan Borba
Arlington, MD
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Rockville, MD to Arlington, MD covers 42 miles and takes about 1h 3m 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 $6.96 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21 miles from Rockville, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 3m drive with frequent turns across 42 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 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 12.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 42 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 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
12.8 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
34.5 mi into trip
|
~48m 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
34.7 mi into trip
|
~48m 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
37.7 mi into trip
|
~53m 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
37.8 mi into trip
|
~53m 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 Rockville, MD and Arlington, MD, road signs point toward Columbia, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Randallstown and Lochearn.
Columbia
12.8 mi in
|
~19m
Towson
34.5 mi in
|
~48m
Baltimore
34.5 mi in
|
~48m
Glen Burnie
34.5 mi in
|
~48m
Randallstown
37.7 mi in
|
~53m
Lochearn
37.7 mi in
|
~53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 16.5 mi | 21m |
| Intercounty Connector | 7 mi | 8m |
| I 70 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Norbeck Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Baltimore Beltway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Liberty Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| West Northern Parkway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Veirs Mill Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Columbia Pike
— 16.5 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockville, MD and Arlington, MD.
1
Start on South Washington Street
300 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Washington Street
2
Turn left onto MD 28
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Jefferson Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on MD 28
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Veirs Mill Road
4
Turn left onto MD 28
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
First Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on MD 28
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Norbeck Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto MD 97
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Georgia Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward MD 200 Toll East
8
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Intercounty Connector
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 16A-B
Toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 16B
Toward US 29 North: Columbia
11
Merge onto US 29
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward I 70 East: Baltimore
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 70
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 70
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 91B
Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 695
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Baltimore Beltway
17
Take the exit
394 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 18A-B
Toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Lochearn
Use the slight right lane.
18
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.
19
Turn right onto MD 26
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Liberty Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West Northern Parkway
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Northern Parkway
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Jonquil Avenue
22
Turn left onto West Rogers Avenue
107 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Rogers Avenue
23
Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Jonquil Avenue
24
At end of road, turn left onto Lewiston Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Lewiston Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Cuthbert Avenue
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.
The halfway point lands around 21 miles from Rockville, MD, or about 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.5 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 42 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rockville, 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 Rockville, MD
This is one driving day of about 42 miles and 1h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rockville, 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 Columbia Pike for about 16.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21 mi from Rockville, MD · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21 miles from Rockville, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Arlington, 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
$6.96 one way
$13.93 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.63 | $15.25 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.15 | $16.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.27 | $18.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.88 | $2.69 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Arlington, MD
Afternoon in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
3:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
15 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
1h 3m 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 Rockville, MD to Arlington, MD covers 42 miles and takes about 1h 3m 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 21 miles from Rockville, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.96 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 21 significant decision points across 42 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 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Rockville, MD and Arlington, MD, road signs point toward Columbia, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Randallstown and Lochearn.
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