Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
24m
Distance
15.4 mi
25 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
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.
Columbia, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Calverton, MD
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion from Columbia to Calverton, you are looking at a straightforward 15.4-mile trip that typically takes about 24 minutes. Since the entire journey stays within Maryland, you will not need to worry about crossing regional boundaries or planning for overnight stays. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day commitment, making it an efficient option for commuters or local travelers. With a fuel budget of just $3, it is an incredibly economical route to navigate. Because there are no scheduled stops required, you can focus on a direct transit between these two Northeast locations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 12 mi | 16m |
| Briggs Chaney Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Dunnington Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Clarksville Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Calverton, MD.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto MD 108
Continue on MD 108
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 29
Take the exit
Turn left onto Briggs Chaney Road
Turn right onto Dunnington Road
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 13 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the ramp toward US 29 South: Columbia, Town Center
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Briggs Chaney Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Briggs Chaney Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$2.55 one way
$5.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.80 | $5.59 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.99 | $5.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.40 | $6.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.35 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Late night in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Calverton on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating local roads like Columbia Pike, Briggs Chaney Road, and Dunnington Road, as this route maintains a zero percent highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 12-mile segment on Columbia Pike, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the path relies entirely on local infrastructure, the experience is defined by shifting turns and surface street traffic rather than high-speed highway travel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 24m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles (US 29 / Columbia Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
349 ft
Total Descent
474 ft
Highest Point
490 ft
~10.9 mi in
Elevation Range
234 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 24m. Total distance: 15.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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