Origin
Silver Spring, MD
Evening in Silver Spring on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
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
Brunswick, MD
RDNE Stock project
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Between Silver Spring, MD and Brunswick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and Leesburg.
Baltimore
Leesburg
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring, MD and Brunswick, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right
Merge onto US 29
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 5A
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 15; US 340
Keep slight right at fork onto US 340
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MD 180
Turn left onto MD 79
Enter roundabout onto MD 17
Continue on MD 17
Enter roundabout onto Petersville Road
Continue on Petersville Road
Continue on Petersville Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 52.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from Silver Spring, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$8.67 one way
$17.34 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Silver Spring on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Brunswick on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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