Origin
West Elkridge, MD
Late night in West Elkridge on Friday
Local time
3:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Elkridge, MD to Gaithersburg, MD
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
45m
Distance
33.3 mi
54 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Elkridge, MD
Jason Morrison
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
Traveling between West Elkridge and Gaithersburg covers 33.3 miles, typically taking about 45 minutes to complete. This straightforward journey functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. You will navigate via a combination of the Intercounty Connector, I-95, and Washington Boulevard. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, this commute is highly economical for those moving between these two Maryland locations. Since both points sit within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the drive. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable connection for your daily travel needs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 45m. Total distance: 33.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This 33.3-mile trip offers a mixed driving profile that balances high-speed transit with local road navigation. You will spend about 34% of your time on highways, providing a blend of steady cruising and slower-paced segments. The most significant portion of the drive is a 15.7-mile stretch on the Intercounty Connector, which allows you to maintain consistent momentum. As you transition from the interstate sections onto Washington Boulevard, the rhythm of the drive shifts noticeably. Expect a functional experience behind the wheel that prioritizes efficiency over scenic diversions, as the route is designed to get you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Intercounty Connector is the longest continuous segment at about 15.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
530 ft
203 ft
Total Climb
529 ft
Total Descent
248 ft
Highest Point
530 ft
~31 mi in
Elevation Range
327 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Washington Boulevard.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 33.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 1 / Washington Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 1 / Washington Boulevard
Turn left onto US 1 / Washington Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
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 5A-B
Toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
8
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
7
14 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
8
31.2 mi into trip
|
~40m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Elkridge, MD to Gaithersburg, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
2.4 mi in
|
~4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Intercounty Connector | 15.7 mi | 19m |
| I 95 | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Washington Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| I 370 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| MD 100 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Intercounty Connector
— 15.7 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Elkridge, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 1
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
Toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto MD 100
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
MD 100
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 5A-B
Toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 31B
Toward MD 200 Toll West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Intercounty Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on MD 200 Toll
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Intercounty Connector
Exit 8A
11
Continue on I 370
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 370
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 2
Toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto MD 355
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Frederick Road
14
Continue on MD 355
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
15
Turn left
85 ft
·
6 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.7 mi from West Elkridge, MD · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.7 miles from West Elkridge, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gaithersburg, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Gaithersburg, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.52 one way
$11.04 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.05 | $12.09 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.46 | $12.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.35 | $14.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.91 | $1.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Friday
Local time
3:16 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
12 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
45m 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 West Elkridge, MD to Gaithersburg, MD covers 33.3 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Intercounty Connector, I 95, Washington Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.7 miles from West Elkridge, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.52 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 33.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 1 / Washington Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from West Elkridge, MD to Gaithersburg, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 203 ft to 530 ft elevation with about 529 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Monocacy National Battlefield.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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