If you are planning a trip from Charlotte Hall to Gaithersburg, expect a 67.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it covers a manageable distance within Maryland. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $11 for the one-way trek. Since this route connects two points in the Northeast region, you will stay within the same cultural and geographical area throughout. It is a straightforward commute that serves as an efficient way to move between these two Maryland hubs without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Capital Beltway
27.9 mi
36m
I 270
10.9 mi
14m
Leonardtown Road
10.6 mi
14m
Branch Avenue
9 mi
11m
Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.3 mi
5m
Crain Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Three Notch Road
1 mi
1m
Charlotte Hall Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 27.9 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte Hall, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on this road
170 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Charlotte Hall Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Charlotte Hall Road
3
Turn right onto Golden Beach Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·Golden Beach Road
4
Turn left onto MD 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Three Notch Road
5
Continue on MD 5
11 mi·14 min·Leonardtown Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto MD 5
3.3 mi·5 min·Mattawoman Beantown Road
7
Merge onto US 301; MD 5
2.5 mi·3 min·Crain Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5
9.0 mi·11 min·Branch Avenue
Toward MD 5 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College ParkUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; I 495
18 mi·24 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi·12 min·Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver SpringUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
3.6 mi·4 min·I 270
Exit 35Toward I 270 North: FrederickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Because this route includes heavy-traffic corridors like the Capital Beltway and I-270, timing your departure is essential to avoid the worst of the regional congestion. Since the drive is relatively short at under two hours, you have the flexibility to make the trip in one go without needing scheduled stops for rest. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the denser highway sections to ensure you don't need to exit for gas in high-traffic areas. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor live traffic reports for the Capital Beltway, as that 27.9-mile stretch is the most likely place to encounter significant delays.
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 33.9 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 48m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gaithersburg, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlotte Hall, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlotte Hall, MD
This is one driving day of about 67.8 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 27.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.5 and 59.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18.5 mi into trip|~27m in|MD 5 / Branch Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 5 North: Washington
7
27.5 mi into trip|~39m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...
8
46.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.24 one way
$22.48 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.31
$24.62
premium
$4.93
$13.15
$26.30
diesel
$5.61
$14.97
$29.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.3
0
$7.12
$3.25
Efficient EV
17
0
$5.93
$2.71
EV Truck/SUV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Charlotte Hall, MD
Late night
in Charlotte Hall on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Scattered Rain Showers
W 8 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night
in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Isolated Rain Showers
W 8 mph23% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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!
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 67.8
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 67.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through different types of infrastructure. You will start by transitioning onto Leonardtown Road before shifting into a mix of fast-paced highway segments and local roads. While only 16% of the route is spent on highways, the drive features a notable 27.9-mile stretch along the Capital Beltway. Eventually, you will merge onto I-270 to complete your journey. The character of the road shifts from regional connectors to high-traffic interstate lanes, creating a varied experience behind the wheel.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.9 mi on Capital Beltway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 18.5 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.5 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlotte Hall, MD and Gaithersburg, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Silver Spring.
College Park
27.5 mi in|~39m
Silver Spring
46.2 mi in|~1h 4m|via I 495
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 67.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.9 miles on Capital Beltway. 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 Gaithersburg, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.5 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Monocacy National Battlefield. 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 Gaithersburg, MD before heading back.
