Gola Ethiopian Restaurant & Market
Around the midpoint, short detour
Silver Spring, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+12025978178
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
133 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
California, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Hagerstown, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 133 miles, the trip from California, MD, to Hagerstown, MD, typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. You will traverse a mix of local roads and major interstates, making this a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, the route is affordable and efficient for those heading from the Southern Maryland area toward the northern part of the state. Since the entire drive stays within the Northeast region of Maryland, you won't encounter drastic climate or terrain shifts. It functions best as a direct, no-fuss day trip, allowing you plenty of time at your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect a practical drive that balances regional transit with reliable highway connectivity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.5 miles from California, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 31.8 mi | 40m |
| Capital Beltway | 27.9 mi | 36m |
| Three Notch Road | 21.7 mi | 30m |
| I 70 | 21 mi | 22m |
| Leonardtown Road | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Branch Avenue | 9 mi | 11m |
| Mattawoman Beantown Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Dual Highway | 3.1 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between California, MD and Hagerstown, MD.
Start on Shady Mile Drive
Turn right onto MD 235
Continue on MD 5
Turn right onto MD 5
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95; I 495
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 40
Continue on US 40
Turn left onto North Potomac Street
Turn left onto US 40
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this nearly three-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion on the Capital Beltway and I-270. Since the route only requires one planned stop to cover the 133-mile distance comfortably, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs before hitting the final leg of the trip. Budgeting approximately $21 for gas will keep your finances on track for the day. Because the drive is short enough to handle in one go, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule based on traffic reports rather than fatigue. A helpful tip for this specific path is to prioritize your stop strategically around the I-270 corridor, as it provides the most consistent access to services before the final stretch into Hagerstown.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hagerstown, MD than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving California, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from California, MD
This is one driving day of about 133 miles and 2h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.5 miles from California, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Silver Spring, Maryland
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+12025978178
The Pier Restaurant (Solomons Island, MD)
Solomons, Maryland
Around the midpoint, short detour
Silver Spring, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+12025978178
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Silver Spring, Maryland
Near the start, short detour
Solomons, Maryland
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+14102312256
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Solomons, Maryland
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+14104498406
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Solomons, Maryland
Hours: 12–9 pm
+14103264817
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Mechanicsville, Maryland
Hours: 12–7:30 pm
+13018843701
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Waldorf, Maryland
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+13013749955
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Hours: 9 am–7 pm
+13013557144
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
California, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Beltsville, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18447112474
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
CHARLOTT HALL, MD
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lexington Park, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+31880109500
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
California, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lexington Park, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Greenbelt, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Near the start, short detour
California, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hagerstown, Maryland
+13017334363
Around the midpoint, short detour
Silver Spring, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm
+13013193300
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
College Park, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13018646029
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm
+13013558486
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Clinton, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+13018681397
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Frederick, Maryland
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13016001492
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Frederick, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+13016244030
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Frederick, Maryland
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Frederick, Maryland
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13016688922
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.3 and 107.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$22.05 one way
$44.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $24.15 | $48.30 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.79 | $51.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.36 | $58.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.64 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.62 | $8.51 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
Night in California on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Hagerstown on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This 133-mile route offers a mixed driving profile that transitions through various road types. You will start by navigating local routes like Three Notch Road before merging onto the Capital Beltway and I-270. With highways accounting for 40% of the journey, you should prepare for a blend of suburban traffic and open interstate cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-270, where you will cover 31.8 miles of continuous highway driving. As you progress from the quieter roads near California toward the heavier traffic patterns surrounding the Beltway, the pace of the trip shifts noticeably. Staying alert during these transitions is key to maintaining a smooth experience behind the wheel.
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 around 38.3 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 133 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 38.3 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between California, MD and Hagerstown, MD, road signs point toward College Park, Silver Spring and Baltimore.
College Park
Silver Spring
Baltimore
One of the most diverse states in the Union, California has a culture ranging from the easygoing surf spots on the beaches of Southern California to the glamor of Hollywood, and the counterculture and thriving businesses of the Bay Area. The state, which is on the west coast of the U.S., also varies greatly in natural beauty, from redwood forests on the North Coast to the ski resorts of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains and the harsh desert of Death Valley. The largest state in the U.S. by population and the third largest by area, California boasts world-famous attractions and sights: Disneyland, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Napa Valley wine country, and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 133 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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