Origin
Silver Spring, MD
Evening in Silver Spring on Sunday
Local time
6:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Silver Spring, MD to Arbutus, MD
Drive Time
39m
Distance
28.3 mi
46 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Silver Spring, MD
RDNE Stock project
Arbutus, MD
Gianpiero Ferraro
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel the 28.3 miles from Silver Spring to Arbutus, expect a straightforward, efficient journey that typically takes about 39 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single day, as it is designed as a highway-focused drive that connects two spots within Maryland. You can easily complete the excursion with a modest fuel budget of approximately $5. Given the short duration and distance, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that serves as an effective connector between these two Northeast locations.
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
14.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by its highway-heavy nature, as 68% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of Colesville Road and the Capital Beltway before settling into the primary leg of the journey. The experience is dominated by an interstate grind, highlighted by a 19.1-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-95. While the route transitions from local arterial roads to high-speed lanes, the character remains consistent and functional. You should be prepared for a fast-paced drive that prioritizes speed and directness over leisurely pacing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 19.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Capital Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 29 / Georgia Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 28.3 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 0.1 miles (US 29 / Georgia Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 29 / Georgia Avenue
Merge onto US 29 / Georgia Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
8
25.6 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville
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 47A-B
Toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshal...
8
25.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 166: Catonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 47B
Toward MD 166: Catonsville
Towns Along This Route
Between Silver Spring, MD and Arbutus, MD, road signs point toward New York, Catonsville and Umbc Campus.
New York
5.3 mi in
|
~8m
Catonsville
25.6 mi in
|
~33m
Umbc Campus
26.7 mi in
|
~34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 19.1 mi | 22m |
| Capital Beltway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Colesville Road | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Hilltop Circle | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| Metropolitan Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Georgia Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| UMBC Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 19.1 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring, MD and Arbutus, MD.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
3
Merge onto US 29
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Georgia Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto US 29
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Colesville Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 495 East: College Park
6
Merge onto I 495
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 27
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
9
Merge onto I 95
19 mi
·
22 min
·
I 95
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 47A-B
Toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 47B
Toward MD 166: Catonsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto MD 166
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Metropolitan Boulevard
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward UMBC Campus
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto UMBC Boulevard
384 ft
·
13 sec
·
UMBC Boulevard
15
Enter roundabout onto UMBC Boulevard
190 ft
·
5 sec
·
UMBC Boulevard
16
Continue on UMBC Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
UMBC Boulevard
17
Enter roundabout onto Hilltop Circle
116 ft
·
3 sec
·
Hilltop Circle
18
Continue on Hilltop Circle
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Hilltop Circle
19
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Poplar Avenue
20
Turn left onto Shelbourne Road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Shelbourne Road
21
Arrive at destination
Shelbourne Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 39-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on traffic patterns common to the I-95 corridor. Because the trip is short and requires zero stops, you can easily fit this into a busy schedule without needing a formal rest plan. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, but remember that the convenience of this route means you will arrive at your destination in Arbutus quickly. For the smoothest experience, check real-time traffic reports for the Capital Beltway before you leave Silver Spring, as congestion levels can fluctuate significantly on this segment.
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 14.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 28.3 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.2 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arbutus, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Silver Spring, 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 Silver Spring, MD
This is one driving day of about 28.3 miles and 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Silver Spring, 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 95 for about 19.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.2 mi from Silver Spring, MD · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arbutus, MD
The final approach into Arbutus, 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 Arbutus, 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
$4.68 one way
$9.37 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.12 | $10.25 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.48 | $10.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.29 | $12.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Arbutus, MD
Evening in Arbutus on Sunday
Local time
6:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
39m 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 Silver Spring, MD to Arbutus, MD covers 28.3 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Capital Beltway, Colesville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.68 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 16 significant decision points across 28.3 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 0.1 miles (US 29 / Georgia Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Silver Spring, MD and Arbutus, MD, road signs point toward New York, Catonsville and Umbc Campus.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arbutus, MD
More trips to Arbutus, MD
Explore more options from Silver Spring, MD or browse trips ending in Arbutus, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
Explore maps for Silver Spring, MD or Arbutus, MD on MapSof.net.