Origin
Dundalk, MD
Late night in Dundalk on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dundalk, MD to Gaithersburg, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
46.7 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dundalk, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
Traveling between Dundalk and Gaithersburg covers 46.7 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 2 minutes to complete. Because this journey stays within Maryland, you will remain in the Northeast region throughout the entire trip. With a fuel cost estimated at just $8, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You won't need to worry about overnight accommodations, as the distance is short enough to handle in one go. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick visit, the straightforward nature of the drive makes it a manageable trip for any driver.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 24.3 mi | 29m |
| Intercounty Connector | 15.7 mi | 19m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Broening Highway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Keith Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| I 370 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Dunhill Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Frederick Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 24.3 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dundalk, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on Dundalk Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Dundalk Avenue
2
Turn left onto Dunhill Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Dunhill Road
3
Continue on Dunhill Road
181 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dunhill Road
4
Turn right onto Broening Highway
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Broening Highway
5
Turn slight right
201 ft
·
7 sec
6
Continue on Keith Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Keith Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 95
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 95 Toll South: Washington
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
24 mi
·
29 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 31B
Toward MD 200 Toll West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Intercounty Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on MD 200 Toll
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Intercounty Connector
Exit 8A
13
Continue on I 370
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 370
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 2
Toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto MD 355
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Frederick Road
16
Continue on MD 355
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
17
Turn left
85 ft
·
6 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from Dundalk, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 44.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 Toll South: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 Toll South: Washington
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
27.4 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward MD 200 Toll West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31B
Toward MD 200 Toll West
5
28.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
MD 200 Toll / Intercounty Connector
Merge onto MD 200 Toll / Intercounty Connector
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
44.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
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 2
Toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.74 one way
$15.48 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.48 | $16.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.06 | $18.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.31 | $20.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.90 | $2.24 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.09 | $1.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.54 | $2.99 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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 2m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from high-speed interstates to local streets. You will spend roughly 53% of your time on highways, with a significant portion of the trip involving a 24.3-mile stretch on I-95. As you navigate toward your destination, the route shifts from major thoroughfares like I-95 and the Intercounty Connector onto the more localized South Frederick Avenue. This combination ensures you spend most of your time moving quickly before slowing down for the final approach into Gaithersburg. It’s a functional drive that balances efficiency with the necessary local navigation required to reach your final stop.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.3 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 46.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.3 miles on I 95. 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 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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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