Columbia, MD Road Trips
With 7 routes heading out and 0 heading in, Columbia, MD works well as a modest departure point in the Northeast. Most drives stay under 44 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Columbia, MD spread mainly south and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
7
Longest Drive
82.7 mi
Leonardtown, MD
Quickest Drive
25m
Somerset, MD
Plan Around Columbia, MD
Continue From Columbia, MD
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Columbia, MD
Columbia, MD to Leonardtown, MD
Columbia, MD to Bryans Road, MD
Columbia, MD to Croom, MD
Columbia, MD to Joppatowne, MD
Columbia, MD to New Windsor, MD
Columbia, MD to Bladensburg, MD
Columbia, MD to Somerset, MD
Driving from Columbia, MD
The typical drive from Columbia, MD covers about 44 miles and takes around 1h 2m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 83 miles (1h 59m), while the shortest is just 16 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Columbia, MD most often head toward Leonardtown, MD (82.7 mi, 1h 59m), Bryans Road, MD (57.8 mi, 1h 19m), Croom, MD (44.6 mi, 1h 6m), Joppatowne, MD (38.9 mi, 52m), and New Windsor, MD (36.6 mi, 51m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in MD currently averages around $3.94 per gallon. For the typical 44-mile trip from Columbia, MD, budget about $7 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Columbia, MD and 0 routes heading into Columbia, MD, covering 7 total connections. Distances range from 16 to 83 miles.
The longest mapped route from Columbia, MD covers 83 miles and takes approximately 1h 59m. Shorter options start at just 16 miles.
The average route from Columbia, MD runs about 44 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h 2m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.94/gallon for regular), the average 44-mile trip from Columbia, MD costs roughly $7 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Columbia, MD include Leonardtown, MD, Bryans Road, MD, Croom, MD and Joppatowne, MD. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Columbia, MD by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
105,871
Median Income
$129,173
Median Home Value
$480,300
Median Age
39.1
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Columbia, MD at a Glance
Founded
1967
Elevation
407 ft
Area
32 mi²
Sister Cities
Notable People from Columbia, MD
A sampling of people born in Columbia, MD.
Jack Douglass
1988
American Internet personality (born 1988)
Brent Faiyaz
1995
American R&B singer
Andrew Gemmell
1991
American swimmer, Olympic athlete, world champion
Jayson Blair
1976
American journalist
Dave Sitek
1972
American musician and record producer
Greg Whittington
1993
American basketball player (born 1993)
Zach Brown
1989
American football linebacker
Jason Downs
1973
American singer and actor
Kenneth Ulman
1974
American politician
City data from Wikidata (Q397905), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Columbia, MD
Columbia is a planned city in Howard County, Central Maryland. It differs strongly from most notions of what constitutes a "city," as the planner divided the densely populated, but decidedly suburban in character, city into ten "villages," each of which are divided into several neighborhoods, leaving the city with a less obvious center.
For those interested in town planning and intentional communities, Columbia's layout and village centers preserve a good deal of James Rouse's 1960s-era vision of a diverse and harmonious setting open to residents of all backgrounds. Harper's Choice Village Center and Wilde Lake Village Center (which was the first to be built) have interesting small shops and public spaces. 1 The Maryland Museum of African Art, 8775 Cloudleap Ct (downtown off Route 175). (updated Dec 2020) 2 Columbia Art Center, 6100 Foreland Garth (Long Reach). (updated Dec 2020) 3 Robinson Nature Center (James and Anne Robinson Nature Center), 6692 Cedar Ln, ☏ +1 410-313-0400. W-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, closed Mondays, Tuesdays, some holidays. Adults $5, children (3-17 yr) $3, under 3 free. (updated Jun 2015) 4 Lake Kittamaqundi, 10275 Wincopin Cir. Lake with walking trail around it. (updated Nov 2020) 5 Lake Elkhorn, 9715 Broken Land Parkway. 1.9 mi (3.1 km) paved walking trail around it. Good fishing for bluegill, crappie, golden shiner and largemouth bass. MD DNR stocks it with trout each spring. (updated May 2024)
1 Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 7175 Oakland Mills Dr. (updated Dec 2020) 2 Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, ☏ +1 410-715-5550. A large amphitheater that hosts many concerts and festivals. (updated Dec 2020) 3 Toby's Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, toll-free: +1-800-888-6297. 6PM for evening shows (5PM on Sundays) and 10:30AM for matinees. Box office hours are 10AM to 9PM, daily. Musicals, with dinner. 4 Lakefront Summer Festival, 10275 Wincopin Cir (Lake Kittamaqundi). Free outdoor movies and concerts every day during the summer. (updated Dec 2020) 5 Symphony of Lights Festivities, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy (Symphony Woods). Annual drive-through festival of lights open at night from late December to early January. Proceeds benefit the Howard County General Hospital. 6 Wine in the Woods, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy (Symphony Woods), ☏ +1 410-313-4700. An annual wine festival during mid-May.
1 Maiwand Kabob, 6131 Columbia Crossing Cir. Kabobs, that is, kebabs. 2 Mango Grove, 8865 Stanford Blvd, ☏ +1 410-884-3426. Vegetarian Indian food. Daily lunch buffet and delivery. (updated Dec 2020) 3 Pars Market LLC, 9400 Snowden River Parkway # 109, ☏ +1 443-259-0002. Great selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods. 4 Royal Taj, 8335 Benson Dr, ☏ +1 410-381-1111. Upscale Indian restaurant. Popular and often crowded, so call ahead. (updated Dec 2020) 5 Sushi King Columbia, 6490 Dobbin Rd. Sushi restaurant and has absolutely delicious specialty rolls. (updated Dec 2020) 6 Asean Bistro, 8775 Centre Park Dr, ☏ +1 410-772-5300. (updated Feb 2016) 7 Sushi Sono, 10215 Wincopin Cir (by Lake Kittamaqundi), ☏ +1 410 997-6131, [email protected]. 11:30 AM - 3PM & 5 - 10 PM. Sushi restaurant. (updated Jun 2024)
1 Xitomate, 5850 Waterloo Rd Ste 100, ☏ +1 410-750-8787. Good Mexican food, great atmosphere. Lots of tequila.
1 Doubletree Columbia, 5485 Twin Knolls Rd, ☏ +1 410-997-1060. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Dec 2020) 2 Hampton Inn Columbia, 8880 Columbia 100 Pkwy, ☏ +1 410-997-8555. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Dec 2020) 3 Hilton Garden Inn Columbia, 8241 Snowden River Pkwy, ☏ +1 410-750-3700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Dec 2020) 4 Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbia, 8320 Benson Dr, ☏ +1 410-872-9200. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. (updated Dec 2020) 5 Sonesta ES Suites Columbia, 8844 Columbia 100 Pkwy, ☏ +1 410-964-9494. This hotel offers easy access to I-95 and I-70. Each suite offers 450 to 750 square feet and features complimentary wireless access, fully equipped kitchen and separate living room. (updated Dec 2020) 6 SpringHill Suites, 7055 Minstrel Way, ☏ +1 410 290-7896. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Suites with microwave, mini-fridge, large work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center. $130. (updated Dec 2020)
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI IATA) is approximately 16 miles (24 km) from Columbia. RTA operates bus service between the airport and Columbia. Columbia is easily accessible from both I-95 and US-29, which run parallel to each other near Columbia. From either of these roads, exit at either Route 32, Route 175, or Route 100. Route 175, which is called Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, connects to the city center and the Mall in Columbia. The closest train station to Columbia is BWI Rail Station, from where Amtrak and MARC Train operate service to Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Amtrak also services the train station from several major cities in the Northeast. RTA offers hourly bus service on its Silver Route from the Mall in Columbia to BWI Airport and the BWI Rail Station, where further connections are available to Washington DC and Baltimore. At BWI Airport, catch the Silver Route bus outside Pier E, the International Terminal, on the lower level. Dillon Bus Service operates commuter buses between Columbia and Washington D.C. and Silver Spring during weekday rush hours.
A well-kept network of walking paths winds through Columbia, mostly in wooded natural areas. Travel within Columbia is largely by auto, although the city was originally planned as a pedestrian and bicycle friendly group of villages. Streets are winding and hilly; cyclists should bring their eighteen-speeds. RTA operates several bus routes through the villages and connect to some adjacent communities. Most bus routes are hourly, with limited service on weekends.
Travel tips adapted from Columbia (Maryland) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Pick your one-way drive time and see where you can go from Columbia, MD.
No routes in this time range.
destinations from Columbia, MD.
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Columbia, MD that also have route pages.
Escape Planner
Where to go from Columbia, MD?
Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.
Drives from Columbia, MD in your inbox
Monthly note with new routes, weekend drive ideas, and seasonal picks for MD. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Browse more MD road trips or choose a route from Columbia, MD above.