Origin
Cambridge, MD
Night in Cambridge on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, MD to Rockville, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
98.6 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Rockville, MD
Jonathan Borba
Trip Overview
Embark on a manageable 98.8-mile journey from Cambridge, MD, to Rockville, MD, that will take approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. This route, entirely within Maryland, is best suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. With a projected fuel cost of around $16, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your attention throughout the trip. This drive offers a straightforward way to connect these two Maryland locales.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Cambridge, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Gateway | 53.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| John Hanson Highway | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Capital Beltway | 16.4 mi | 21m |
| I 270 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Senator Malkus Junior Bridge | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Cedar Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Great Falls Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Sunburst Highway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ocean Gateway
— 53.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MD and Rockville, MD.
1
Start on MD 341
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Race Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto Cedar Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Street
3
Turn left onto US 50
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunburst Highway
4
Continue on US 50
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Malkus Junior Bridge
5
Continue on US 50
53 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
18 mi
·
22 min
·
John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 7B
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7B
Toward I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 95; I 495
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 270
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 270
Toward I 270 North
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 5
Toward MD 189: Falls Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward MD 189 North: Falls Road, Rockville, Town Center
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto MD 189
432 ft
·
20 sec
·
Falls Road
16
Turn left onto Great Falls Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Great Falls Road
17
Continue on West Montgomery Avenue
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Montgomery Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Washington Street
63 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
South Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip is perfectly doable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination, or leave mid-afternoon to enjoy the drive as the day winds down. Since there are no designated stops provided, plan to fuel up before you leave Cambridge, MD, as the $16 fuel cost is an estimate for the entire trip. Keep an eye on your navigation as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means paying close attention to upcoming turns to stay on track towards Rockville, MD.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.3 miles from Cambridge, MD, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 miles.
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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockville, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MD
This is one driving day of about 98.6 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Cambridge, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ocean Gateway for about 53.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from Cambridge, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 75 and 97.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7B
Toward I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
8
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
92 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North: Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 270 North: Frederick
7
95.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
I 270
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 North
9
97.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 189 North: Falls Road, Rockville, Town Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 189 North: Falls Road, Rockville, Tow...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.35 one way
$32.69 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.90 | $35.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.77 | $43.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.63 | $3.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Rockville, MD
Night in Rockville on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$20
near mile 95.4
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 98.8
View on nps.gov
Monocacy National Battlefield
National Battlefield
During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 98.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents itself as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you won't encounter long stretches of monotonous highway. With 0% highway share, prepare for a more engaging experience with frequent turns and changes in road type as you navigate from Cedar Street to Sunburst Highway and cross the Senator Malkus Junior Bridge. The absence of extended highway segments means you'll be more immersed in the local landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a continuous series of local road navigation rather than open-road cruising.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.1 mi on Ocean Gateway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 98.6 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 75 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.5 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Cambridge, MD to Rockville, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Silver Spring along the way.
Silver Spring
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 42m
About the Cities
Starting in Cambridge, MD
Full guide →Cambridge is a small town of 10,000 on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland's Eastern Shore.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 98.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.1 miles on Ocean Gateway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rockville, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 75 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.5 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rockville, MD before heading back.
How this page is built
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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