Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
30m
Distance
20.7 mi
33 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Adelphi, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling the 20.7 miles from Gaithersburg to Adelphi is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 30 minutes. You will primarily utilize a mix of I-270, the Capital Beltway, and the Eisenhower Memorial Highway to navigate between these two Maryland locations. Because the duration is so short, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, it is an economical commute that keeps your travel budget minimal. You will remain within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip, experiencing a transition between these two suburban areas. It is an efficient, practical drive designed for those who need to get from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Capital Beltway | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| Eisenhower Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Adelphi Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Diamond Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| New Hampshire Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Chestnut Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Edwards Way | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Adelphi, MD.
Start on this road
Turn left onto MD 355
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Turn right onto MD 117
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn straight onto MD 650
Turn left onto Adelphi Road
Turn right onto Edwards Way
Turn right onto MD 212
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 19.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South, Takoma Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$3.43 one way
$6.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.76 | $7.52 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.01 | $8.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.57 | $9.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.17 | $0.99 |
| Efficient EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.81 | $0.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Night in Gaithersburg on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Adelphi on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
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 mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with typical regional traffic patterns. Approximately 45% of this journey occurs on highways, allowing you to cover ground quickly before transitioning to local roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along a 9.4-mile segment of I-270, which serves as the backbone of the trip. As you maneuver from the Eisenhower Memorial Highway onto the Capital Beltway, the character of the road shifts from regional corridors to busy metropolitan arteries. Be prepared for the flow of traffic to fluctuate as you navigate these major thoroughfares, as the route is defined by its functional, high-traffic nature rather than leisurely backroads.
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 early in the drive near MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 20.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 30m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
399 ft
Total Descent
726 ft
Highest Point
501 ft
Elevation Range
328 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Adelphi, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Takoma Park.
College Park
Takoma Park
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 30m. Total distance: 20.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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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