Silver Spring, MD Road Trips

Drivers starting from Silver Spring, MD have 19 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Northeast. Most drives stay under 41 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Silver Spring, MD spread mainly north and east, covering a wide geographic range.

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Trip Routes

24

Longest Drive

86.4 mi

Elkton, MD

Quickest Drive

14m

Fairland, MD

Plan Around Silver Spring, MD

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Silver Spring, MD is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Golden Beach, MD to Silver Spring, MD 57.7 mi · 1h 27m White Marsh, MD to Silver Spring, MD 47 mi · 1h 3m Bennsville, MD to Silver Spring, MD 30.6 mi · 58m Capitol Heights, MD to Silver Spring, MD 12 mi · 25m

Continue From Silver Spring, MD

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Silver Spring, MD to Elkton, MD 86.4 mi · 1h 51m Silver Spring, MD to Boonsboro, MD 72.8 mi · 1h 40m Silver Spring, MD to Leonardtown, MD 68.5 mi · 1h 41m Silver Spring, MD to Jarrettsville, MD 67.5 mi · 1h 33m

Trips from Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring, MD to Elkton, MD

86.4 mi 1h 51m

Silver Spring, MD to Boonsboro, MD

72.8 mi 1h 40m

Silver Spring, MD to Leonardtown, MD

68.5 mi 1h 41m

Silver Spring, MD to Jarrettsville, MD

67.5 mi 1h 33m

Silver Spring, MD to Golden Beach, MD

56.5 mi 1h 28m

Silver Spring, MD to Hampstead, MD

52.7 mi 1h 18m

Silver Spring, MD to Myersville, MD

50 mi 1h 5m

Silver Spring, MD to Walkersville, MD

47.1 mi 1h 6m

Silver Spring, MD to Cockeysville, MD

45.7 mi 1h 7m

Silver Spring, MD to Huntingtown Town Center, MD

44.5 mi 1h 5m

Silver Spring, MD to Clover Hill, MD

43.5 mi 1h 2m

Silver Spring, MD to Dundalk, MD

38.4 mi 53m

Silver Spring, MD to Randallstown, MD

35.6 mi 54m

Silver Spring, MD to Lochearn, MD

33.6 mi 50m

Silver Spring, MD to Capitol Heights, MD

11.8 mi 25m

Silver Spring, MD to Calverton, MD

8.6 mi 17m

Silver Spring, MD to Fairland, MD

7.5 mi 14m

Silver Spring, MD to Colmar Manor, MD

6.7 mi 17m

Driving from Silver Spring, MD

On average, trips departing from Silver Spring, MD run 41 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 86 miles (1h 51m), while the shortest is just 6 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving Silver Spring, MD most often head toward Elkton, MD (86.4 mi, 1h 51m), Boonsboro, MD (72.8 mi, 1h 40m), Leonardtown, MD (68.5 mi, 1h 41m), Jarrettsville, MD (67.5 mi, 1h 33m), and Golden Beach, MD (56.5 mi, 1h 28m). 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 41-mile trip from Silver Spring, MD, budget about $6 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 19 mapped routes leaving Silver Spring, MD and 5 routes heading into Silver Spring, MD, covering 24 total connections. Distances range from 6 to 86 miles.

The longest mapped route from Silver Spring, MD covers 86 miles and takes approximately 1h 51m. Shorter options start at just 6 miles.

The average route from Silver Spring, MD runs about 41 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.94/gallon for regular), the average 41-mile trip from Silver Spring, MD costs roughly $6 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Silver Spring, MD include Elkton, MD, Boonsboro, MD, Leonardtown, MD and Jarrettsville, MD. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Silver Spring, MD by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

82,129

Median Income

$98,880

Median Home Value

$619,400

Median Age

35.2

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Silver Spring, MD at a Glance

Founded

1887

Elevation

341 ft

Area

8 mi²

Notable People from Silver Spring, MD

A sampling of people born in Silver Spring, MD.

Nora Roberts

1950

American romance writer

Rian Johnson

1973

American filmmaker (born 1973)

Rebecca Sugar

1987

American animator and screenwriter

Victor Oladipo

1992

American basketball player

Michael Ealy

1973

American actor

Lewis Black

1948

American comedian and actor

Jessie T. Usher

1992

American actor

Kate Siegel

1982

American actress and writer (born 1982)

Josh Hart

1995

American basketball player

Traveler Guide to Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is considered to be an "edge city". It sits next door to Washington, DC, and had about 82,000 residents in 2018. It has redeveloped its downtown district with an outdoor shopping plaza called "Downtown Silver Spring", and is criss-crossed by four creeks that are the basis for parks offering hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and tennis courts.

Silver Spring is just across the northeast border of Washington D.C. at Eastern Ave. As the story goes, Silver Spring was named after a spring with flecks of mica that was discovered in 1840. Francis Preston Blair, one of the organizers of the Republican Party, discovered the spring and owned most of the land that now comprises Silver Spring. He named his mansion Silver Spring after the spring. The spring is said to have been located in what is now 1 Acorn Park on East-West Highway.

2 National Park Seminary, 2791 Linden Ln (Georgia Avenue north, left on Seminary Road, keep left onto Linden Lane). Dating back to 1887, this site, formerly a finishing school for girls and resort community, is odd. Inspired by the 1893 World Fair in Chicago, the Seminary owner decided to build 10 buildings of styles around the world including a Greek theater, a Japanese pagoda, and a Dutch windmill. Following the Great Depression and World War II, the Seminary could barely make ends meet, and the entire property was commandeered by the U.S. Army's Walter Reed Medical Hospital in 1942. The military demolished historic property and generally neglected the beautiful exotic and Victorian buildings. Gaining official historic status saved many of the buildings from demolition, but the neglect continued, allowing the elements and vandals to take their toll. In the 1980s, the "Save Our Seminary" group formed to protect what was left, and did an admirable job. The Army returned the historic Seminary properties to private hands and they were restored. 2-hour guided tours on the 4th Saturday of each month at 1PM: $5. (updated Sep 2025) 3 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station, 8100 Georgia Ave. A restored railroad station from 1945. 4 National Museum of Health and Medicine, 2500 Linden Ln, ☏ +1 301-319-3300. W-Su 10AM-5:30PM. Museum of the history of military medicine. Free. (updated Nov 2020) 5 Memorial Bust to the Homeless Mayor (Georgia Avenue, between Thayer Avenue and Silver Spring Avenue, in alley next to Abyssinia Restaurant).

1 AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Rd (corner of Georgia Ave and Colesville Rd), ☏ +1 301-495-6700. A 1938 theater, now restored and home to the American Film Institute and Shopping Center. 2 Ellsworth Plaza Water Sprinklers, 951 Ellsworth Dr. Outdoor water sprinklers where children play during the summer. Free. (updated Feb 2017) 3 Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd (Corner of Georgia Ave and Colesville Rd), ☏ +1 301-960-9999. A spacious music venue and bar that features big-name acts. Varies. 4 Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Skating Rink at Veterans Plaza, 8523 Fenton St, ☏ +1 301-588-1221, [email protected]. Winter only: M-Th noon-10PM, F noon-11PM; other times: M-Th noon-10PM, Sa Su 10AM-11PM. Outdoor ice skating during the winter. Reservations are required. $11 adults; $10 children and senior citizens. Additional $5 to rent ice skates. (updated Feb 2017) 5 Acorn Urban Park (Acorn Park), 8060 Newell Street. The 12-acre Acorn Park sits on the site of the spring the surrounding area was named after. While small, its acorn-shaped gazebo and grotto are hard to miss. 6 Ellsworth Urban Park, 621 Ellsworth Dr, ☏ +1 301-495-2595. Sunrise to sunset. Playground for children, tennis courts, and dog park. Free. (updated Apr 2023) 7 Jessup Blair Local Park, 900 Jesup Blair Dr (corner of Georgia Ave and Blair Dr). Sunrise to sunset. 24-acre park with a children's playground, softball field, lighted baseball field, two lighted tennis courts, and a picnic area. Free. (updated Feb 2017) 8 Sligo Creek Trail, Sligo Creek Pkwy.

1 Ghar-E-Kabab, 944 Wayne Ave, ☏ +1 301-587-4427. Daily 5-10PM. Ghar-E-Kabab (The House of Kabab) serves traditional Indian and Nepalese cuisine -- much of it vegetarian. $10-30. 2 Goldberg's Bagels, 9328 Georgia Ave (Georgia Avenue northbound, left side of the street just before Seminary Road), ☏ +1 240-450-4177. Su 7AM-3PM, M-Th 6AM-4PM, F 6AM-3PM or so, Sa closed. Best New York-style bagels in Silver Spring. Kosher. Closed Saturdays. Long lines Sunday mornings. Arrive when they open in the morning for the freshest bagels. $5-10. 3 Lebanese Taverna Cafe, 933 Ellsworth Dr, ☏ +1 301-588-1192. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su noon-8PM. Tasty Lebanese fare. Mains: $9-28. 4 Mandalay, 930 Bonifant St, ☏ +1 301-585-0500. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM, Su noon-10PM, closed 3-5PM daily. While the restaurant's ambiance may not lend itself to fine cuisine, Mandalay offers some of the best Burmese fare in the Washington area -- a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Thai cuisines. $12-20. 5 Masa Hibachi Steakhouse and Sushi, 921-J Ellsworth Dr, ☏ +1 301-608-8989. M-Th 4:30-10PM, F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa 12:30-11PM, Su 12:30-10PM. Authentic Japanese teppanyaki style cooking, with sushi, noodle and vegetable dishes prepared table-side. $13-35. 6 Mi Rancho Tex Mex Restaurant, 8701 Ramsey Rd, ☏ +1 301-588-4872. Fresh Tex-Mex at reasonable prices, with both indoor and outdoor seating, an extensive selection of Margaritas, and house-made chips and salsa. $8-15. 7 Moorenko's Ice Cream, 8030 Georgia Ave, ☏ +1 301-565-7804. Small-batch, locally sourced gourmet ice cream.

1 McGinty's Public House, 911-Ellsworth Dr, ☏ +1 301 587-1270. Lively Irish pub with live music and a good whiskey selection. 2 Quarry House Tavern, 8402 Georgia Ave, ☏ +1 301-587-8350. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F Sa noon-2AM, Su 5PM-1AM. This bar has been a neighborhood staple for over 70 years. At first glance it's just a friendly looking dive bar, but upon further inspection it reveals itself as something of a gastropub—the food is heads and shoulders above usual bar fare (fried pickles are a must), and they have a great, long list of Belgian beers! Live bands on weekends and a weekly Rockabilly night Sa. 3 Silver Branch Brewing Company, 8401 Colesville Rd, ☏ +1 301-264-7111. Sa Su noon-10PM, M-F 3-10PM. Local brewery with indoor and outdoor seating in a courtyard. Also known for their large pretzels. (updated Nov 2020) 4 Third Hill Brewing Company, 8216 Georgia Ave, ☏ +1 301-755 2090. Su 1-8PM, M-W 4-9PM, Th-Sa 1-10PM. Local brewery with several different selections available. Light food is also served. (updated Dec 2025) 5 Urban Winery of Silver Spring, 2315 Stewart Ave, ☏ +1 301-585-4100. W-F 3-10PM, Sa 1-10PM, Su 1-8PM, closed M Tu. Locally made wine, beer, and spirits. (updated Apr 2023) 6 Black Lion Cafe Coffee and Pastry, 8240 Fenton St, ☏ +1 240-907 2994. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 8AM-9PM. Coffee, espresso, tea, frappes, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and soup. All coffee beans come from Ethiopia. (updated Apr 2023) 7 Fenton Cafe, 8311 Fenton St, ☏ +1 301-326-1841. M-Sa 8AM-8:30PM, Su 8AM-6:30PM.

1 Holiday Inn Express Washington DC N-Silver Spring, 7990 Georgia Ave, ☏ +1 301-565-3444. Free breakfast, fitness center, and on-site parking. 2 Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown, 8506 Fenton St, ☏ +1 301-589-4899, fax: +1 301 589-4898. Free WiFi, gym, restaurant, lounge, coffee bar in lobby. Three blocks to Metro, two miles to D.C. border. $200-280. 3 DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC Silver Spring, 8777 Georgia Ave, ☏ +1 301-589-0800. Outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, free wifi, meeting space, restaurant.

1 Silver Spring Metrorail Station, 8400 Colesville Rd, ☏ +1 202-637-7000. Silver Spring is served by the Red Line of the Metrorail system, which travels directly into Washington, D.C. (updated Mar 2023) 1 Greyhound Lines, 8100 Fenton St, ☏ +1 214-849-8100, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Operates bus service from New York City and other cities north. (updated Apr 2017) Ride-on-Bus operates service between downtown Silver Spring and other locations in Montgomery County, including Rockville, Bethesda, and Wheaton.

The entire downtown is very compact and easily traversed by foot. Van Go Shuttle is a free purple bus that offers frequent service around Silver Spring M-Th from 7AM-midnight and F Sa from 7AM-2AM. Metrobus and Ride-on-Bus operate service around Silver Spring. For information on bike-sharing programs in the Washington, DC area, see Washington DC#Get_around.

Travel tips adapted from Silver Spring 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.