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Trip from Rossville, MD to Gaithersburg, MD

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 7m

Distance

51.2 mi

82 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 2m ★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 4m

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

census designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States

Rossville, MD

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Gaithersburg, MD, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

Kristopher Hines

Trip Overview

This 51.2-mile drive from Rossville, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate on I 95 and the Intercounty Connector, with a portion on Pulaski Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Northeast region of Maryland. It's a practical option for a quick transition between these two Maryland locations without the need for an overnight stay. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience on the road.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 51.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this 51.2-mile route, with 56% of it being highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.1 miles on I 95, offering a period of consistent speed. As you transition from I 95 to the Intercounty Connector and then Pulaski Highway, the road character will likely shift, potentially moving from faster, more direct highway segments to roads with more local access. This blend means you'll experience both efficient cruising and potentially more varied traffic patterns as you approach your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.2 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 7.5 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
3.4 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 95 South: Washington
6
7.5 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 95

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
7
31.9 mi into trip | ~41m 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
5
32.8 mi into trip | ~42m in | MD 200 Toll / Intercounty Connector

Merge onto MD 200 Toll / Intercounty Connector

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
49.1 mi into trip | ~1h 2m 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
I 95 28.1 mi 34m
Intercounty Connector 15.7 mi 19m
Pulaski Highway 3.4 mi 5m
South Frederick Avenue 1.6 mi 3m
I 370 0.5 mi <1m
Frederick Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 28.1 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rossville, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.

1

Start on US 40

3.4 mi · 5 min · Pulaski Highway
2

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 95 South: Washington
3

Merge onto I 95

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 95
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95

24 mi · 29 min · I 95
Use the slight right lane.
5

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 31B Toward MD 200 Toll West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto MD 200 Toll

9.5 mi · 11 min · Intercounty Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on MD 200 Toll

6.2 mi · 7 min · Intercounty Connector
Exit 8A
8

Continue on I 370

0.5 mi · 41 sec · I 370
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 2 Toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn right onto MD 355

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Frederick Road
11

Continue on MD 355

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Frederick Avenue
12

Turn left

85 ft · 6 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25.6 mi from Rossville, MD · 33m into the drive

human settlement in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hanover, MD

26 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.

Popular next leg

Hanover, MD to Gaithersburg, MD

34.1 mi · 46m

Pacing Suggestions

Baltimore, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laurel, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.6 miles from Rossville, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.49 one way

$16.98 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $9.30 $18.59
premium $4.93 $9.93 $19.86
diesel $5.61 $11.30 $22.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.4 0 $5.38 $2.46
Efficient EV 12.8 0 $4.48 $2.05
EV Truck/SUV 20.5 0 $7.17 $3.28

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Rossville, MD

Late night in Rossville on Friday

Local time

12:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gaithersburg, MD

Late night in Gaithersburg on Friday

Local time

12:58 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

14 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

1h 7m 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 Rossville, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 51.2 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Intercounty Connector, Pulaski Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.6 miles from Rossville, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.49 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.2 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 7.5 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Rossville, MD to Gaithersburg, MD does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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