Road Trips from Gaithersburg, MD
Deciding where to go this weekend from Gaithersburg? You've got options for quick half-day excursions and longer trips, all within Maryland. Many routes offer easy, mostly flat terrain and access to significant parklands like the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Whether you're looking for a short drive to a nearby town or a longer haul to the coast, there's a route that fits. Most destinations are under two hours, making day trips very feasible, though none of these specifically recommend an overnight stay.
Total Routes
11
Shortest
0.3h
With Parks Nearby
11
Under 2 hours
9 total in this range
Lansdowne, MD
54m40 mi one way
This is one of the closer options, just under an hour, with a solid drive score of 8. It features a mix of highway and surface roads, making for an efficient trip. You'll also have access to nearby parks, including the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, similar to many other routes from Gaithersburg.
Brooklyn Park, MD
1h43.5 mi one way
At 43.5 miles and 1 hour, this drive is comparable in distance and time to Lansdowne. It also boasts a drive score of 8 and includes access to major park areas like the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The terrain is mostly flat, offering a straightforward journey.
Croom, MD
1h 9m45.7 mi one way
This route takes you slightly further, about 1.2 hours for 45.7 miles, with a drive score of 7. It primarily uses surface roads, offering a different driving experience than the mixed highway routes. Like many options, it provides access to notable parks such as Monocacy National Battlefield.
Riverside, MD
1h 31m70 mi one way
For a longer day trip, this 70-mile drive takes about 1.5 hours and has a drive score of 7. It mostly sticks to surface roads. You'll find yourself with access to the same significant park areas as many other destinations on this list, all on mostly flat terrain.
Lutherville, MD
1h 12m51.3 mi one way
This trip is a bit longer than the closest options, covering 51.3 miles in about 1.2 hours. It uses mostly surface roads and has a drive score of 7. You'll have proximity to major parks like the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, with generally flat terrain throughout.
Full-day getaway
Rock Hall, MD
2h 32m106.8 mi one way
If you're looking for the furthest destination primarily on surface roads, this is it. It's 106.8 miles and takes 2.5 hours, with a strong drive score of 8. Unlike many other picks, this route doesn't list specific nearby parks from the standard selection, but offers a longer journey with mostly flat terrain.
Crisfield, MD
3h 50m168.9 mi one way
This is the longest drive, covering 168.9 miles and taking 3.8 hours. It maintains a good drive score of 8 and utilizes mostly surface roads. While it offers access to the usual park selection, its main distinction is the significant distance, making it a more substantial trip with generally flat terrain.
Browse by Mood
Lansdowne, MD
54m40 mi one way
Brooklyn Park, MD
1h43.5 mi one way
Rock Hall, MD
2h 32m106.8 mi one way
Crisfield, MD
3h 50m168.9 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring weather is ideal for exploring the numerous parks accessible from these routes, like the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, on mostly flat terrain.
Summer
The mostly flat terrain on these drives makes them suitable for summer travel, with opportunities to visit parks like Monocacy National Battlefield.
Fall
Enjoy the mostly flat terrain and access to parks such as the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail during the fall.
Winter
Winter drives on these mostly flat routes offer access to parks like the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, though park conditions may vary.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Gaithersburg, MD city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.