Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
47.4 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Silver Spring, MD
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La Plata, MD
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The drive from Silver Spring, MD to La Plata, MD covers 47.4 miles and takes about 1h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Capital Beltway, Crain Highway, Branch Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.2 miles on Capital Beltway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 47.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 1h 10m drive with frequent turns across 47.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 early in the drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.4 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 29 / Colesville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 29 / Colesville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 495 / Capital Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto MD 337 / Forestville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Silver Spring, MD to La Plata, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Morningside along the way.
Morningside
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 20.2 mi | 26m |
| Crain Highway | 13.6 mi | 21m |
| Branch Avenue | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| MD 337 | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Colesville Road | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Charles Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Georgia Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Forestville Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring, MD and La Plata, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right
Merge onto US 29
Turn right onto US 29
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn right onto MD 337
Turn slight right onto MD 337
Turn left
Merge onto MD 5
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
Turn left onto MD 6
Turn left onto Kent Avenue
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.7 mi from Silver Spring, MD · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.7 miles from Silver Spring, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into La Plata, 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.
Regular Gas
$7.86 one way
$15.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.61 | $17.21 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.19 | $18.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.47 | $20.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.98 | $2.28 |
| Efficient EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.15 | $1.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19 | 0 | $6.64 | $3.03 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Late night in Silver Spring on Friday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in La Plata on Friday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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