Origin
Columbia, MD
Morning in Columbia on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 59m
Distance
78 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 51m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Columbia, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD is 78 miles and takes about 1h 59m via South Solomons Island Road, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast. Expect a turn-heavy local drive experience for most of this trip. With a total duration under two hours and a modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. Consider this journey if you prefer a more direct, less highway-intensive experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39 miles from Columbia, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Solomons Island Road | 15.2 mi | 21m |
| North West Crain Highway | 10.4 mi | 15m |
| Southern Maryland Boulevard | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| North Solomons Island Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| MD 100 | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| Robert Crain Highway | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Telegraph Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Stephanie Roper Highway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
South Solomons Island Road
— 15.2 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MD and Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD.
1
Start on this road
404 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 21B
Toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2
Turn straight onto MD 108
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Clarksville Pike
3
Continue on MD 108
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clarksville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn straight onto MD 108
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Annapolis Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward MD 100 East
6
Merge onto MD 100
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
MD 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 11
Toward MD 170: Linthicum, Odenton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward MD 170 South: Telegraph Road, Odenton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto MD 170
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Telegraph Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward MD 32 East: Annapolis
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Merge onto MD 32
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Patuxent Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 3
Toward Burns Crossing Road, Gambrills, Odenton
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto Burns Crossing Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Burns Crossing Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto MD 175
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Annapolis Road
15
Turn right onto MD 3
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Robert Crain Highway
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on MD 3; MD 450
10 mi
·
15 min
·
North West Crain Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Village Drive West
229 ft
·
10 sec
·
Village Drive West
18
Turn right onto Old Crain Highway
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Crain Highway
19
Continue on Marlboro Pike
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Marlboro Pike
20
Turn right onto Green Landing Road
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Green Landing Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MD 4 South
22
Merge onto MD 4
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Stephanie Roper Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on MD 4
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Southern Maryland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on MD 2; MD 4
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
North Solomons Island Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on MD 2; MD 4
15 mi
·
21 min
·
South Solomons Island Road
Use the left lane.
26
Take the exit
237 ft
·
12 sec
27
Turn left onto MD 760
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Rousby Hall Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto MD 760
180 ft
·
4 sec
·
Rousby Hall Road
29
Continue on MD 760
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Rousby Hall Road
30
Turn left onto Coyote Trail
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Coyote Trail
31
Turn right onto Catalina Drive
503 ft
·
13 sec
·
Catalina Drive
32
Arrive at destination
Catalina Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 59 minutes, this trip offers flexibility. You could comfortably depart in the morning and arrive well before lunchtime, or leave in the afternoon and still have plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimate of $13, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Pay attention to the frequent turns, especially as you transition onto South Solomons Island Road, which constitutes the longest stretch of the drive at 15.2 miles. It's wise to keep your navigation device handy to manage these local road changes effectively.
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 39 miles from Columbia, MD, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.2 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 17 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 miles or 1h 1m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Columbia, MD
This is one driving day of about 78 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Columbia, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Solomons Island Road for about 15.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39 miles from Columbia, 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 37.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward MD 170: Linthicum, Odenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11
Toward MD 170: Linthicum, Odenton
9
11.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 170 South: Telegraph Road, Odenton
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 170 South: Telegraph Road, Odenton
6
15.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Turn left toward MD 32 East: Annapolis
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward MD 32 East: Annapolis
8
17.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward Burns Crossing Road, Gambrills, Odenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Burns Crossing Road, Gambrills, Odenton
6
37.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the ramp toward MD 4 South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward MD 4 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.93 one way
$25.86 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.16 | $28.33 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.13 | $30.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.22 | $34.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.19 | $3.74 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.92 | $4.99 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD
Morning in Chesapeake Ranch Estates on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
8 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
1h 59m 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.
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 78
View on nps.gov
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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
$20
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 is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 13% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.2 miles along South Solomons Island Road. As you progress, you'll navigate through a series of local roads, indicated by its profile and the primary roads like North West Crain Highway and Southern Maryland Boulevard. Be prepared for frequent turns and varying speed limits as you transition between different local thoroughfares.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.2 mi on South Solomons Island Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 11.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 22 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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles: 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.
Between Columbia, MD and Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD, road signs point toward Odenton and Gambrills.
Odenton
11.5 mi in
|
~17m
Gambrills
17.1 mi in
|
~26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 78 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.2 miles on South Solomons Island Road. 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 Chesapeake Ranch Estates, 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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 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 Chesapeake Ranch Estates, 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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