Trip from Silver Spring, MD to Brunswick, MD

Drive Time

1h 11m

Distance

52.4 mi

84 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 6m ★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m

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

Downtown Silver Spring, MD, MD

Silver Spring, MD

RDNE Stock project

Downtown Brunswick, MD, MD

Brunswick, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick excursion from Silver Spring to Brunswick, you can expect a manageable 52.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of just $9, it is an economical choice for a weekend getaway or a change of scenery within Maryland. You will be traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the suburban density near the Capital Beltway toward the more relaxed atmosphere of Brunswick. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over complexity, making it an ideal candidate for a stress-free day trip.

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

26.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with approximately 62% of your drive spent on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-270, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 31.8 miles. The character of the road shifts as you transition from the heavy traffic patterns of the Capital Beltway onto the Jefferson National Pike. Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience that favors consistency over winding local backroads. Because the drive is dominated by these primary arteries, you can anticipate a steady, predictable pace for the duration of your trip.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 31.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 270 and Jefferson National Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near I 270.

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 52.4 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 5.9 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

8
5.9 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 270

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35 Toward I 270 North: Frederick
7
9.4 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 270

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 North
8
37.7 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore

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 32 Toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
8
39 mi into trip | ~52m in | I 70 Exit 5A

Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 5A toward US 340 West, US 15 South: Charles Town, Leesburg

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

Use the right lane. Exit 52 Toward US 340 West, US 15 South: Charles Town,...
8
39.3 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South, US 340 West: Charles Town, Leesburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 15 South, US 340 West: Charles Town,...

Towns Along This Route

Between Silver Spring, MD and Brunswick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and Leesburg.

Baltimore

37.7 mi in | ~50m

Leesburg

39 mi in | ~52m | via I 70 Exit 5A

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 270 31.8 mi 40m
Jefferson National Pike 8 mi 9m
Capital Beltway 3.9 mi 5m
Petersville Road 2.8 mi 5m
Georgia Avenue 1.8 mi 4m
Jefferson Pike 1.7 mi 3m
I 70 0.5 mi <1m
I 70 Exit 5A 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 270 — 31.8 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring, MD and Brunswick, MD.

1

Start on this road

85 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec
3

Merge onto US 29

1.8 mi · 4 min · Georgia Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 495 West: Northern Virginia
5

Merge onto I 495

3.9 mi · 5 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 270
Exit 35 Toward I 270 North: Frederick Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270

28 mi · 35 min · I 270
Toward I 270 North Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Exit 32 Toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 70 West: Hagerstown Use the slight left lane.
10

Merge onto I 70

0.5 mi · 37 sec · I 70
11

Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 5A

0.3 mi · 26 sec · I 70 Exit 5A
Exit 52 Toward US 340 West, US 15 South: Charles Town, Leesburg Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 15 South, US 340 West: Charles Town, Leesburg Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto US 15; US 340

3.9 mi · 4 min · Jefferson National Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 340

4.2 mi · 4 min · Jefferson National Pike
Toward US 340 West: Charles Town Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward MD 180: Petersville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

176 ft · 5 sec
17

Turn left onto MD 180

1.7 mi · 3 min · Jefferson Pike
18

Turn left onto MD 79

2.3 mi · 4 min · Petersville Road
19

Enter roundabout onto MD 17

182 ft · 6 sec · Petersville Road
20

Continue on MD 17

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Petersville Road
21

Enter roundabout onto Petersville Road

192 ft · 3 sec · Petersville Road
22

Continue on Petersville Road

90 ft · 10 sec · Petersville Road
23

Continue on Petersville Road

72 ft · 2 sec · Petersville Road
24

Arrive at destination

Petersville Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive of just over an hour, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are utilizing I-270, it is wise to check local traffic conditions to avoid the worst of the commuter rush. You won't need to schedule formal stops given the short duration, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at $9, so topping off your tank in Silver Spring before you hit the highway is a simple way to ensure a worry-free start. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by focusing on a direct arrival, leaving you more time to explore Brunswick once you pull in.

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 26.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.8 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 52.4 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 26.2 miles or 36m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brunswick, 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 52.4 miles and 1h 11m.

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 270 for about 31.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 26.2 mi from Silver Spring, MD · 36m into the drive

Downtown Rockville, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockville, 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Montgomery Village, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Brunswick, MD

The final approach into Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, 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

$8.67 one way

$17.34 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $9.49 $18.98
premium $4.92 $10.15 $20.31
diesel $5.64 $11.64 $23.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.7 0 $5.50 $2.52
Efficient EV 13.1 0 $4.59 $2.10
EV Truck/SUV 21 0 $7.34 $3.35

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 data refreshed 12 hours ago

Origin

Silver Spring, MD

Evening in Silver Spring on Sunday

Local time

7:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brunswick, MD

Evening in Brunswick on Sunday

Local time

7:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

24 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 11m 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 Brunswick, MD covers 52.4 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 270, Jefferson National Pike, Capital Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.2 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 $8.67 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 52.4 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 5.9 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Silver Spring, MD and Brunswick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and Leesburg.

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