Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
36.2 mi
58 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
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
Brunswick, MD
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick escape from Gaithersburg, the 36.2-mile journey to Brunswick is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 48 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You will spend roughly $6 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a spontaneous outing. The drive stays within Maryland, transitioning you from the suburban landscape of Gaithersburg toward the smaller, historic setting of Brunswick. It serves as a practical, low-stress transition between these two Northeast locations, ideal for travelers who prefer a brief time on the road.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 20.2 mi | 25m |
| Jefferson National Pike | 8 mi | 9m |
| Petersville Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Jefferson Pike | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Frederick Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| I 70 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| I 70 Exit 5A | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Quince Orchard Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Brunswick, MD.
Start on this road
Turn left onto MD 355
Turn left onto MD 124
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 5A
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 15; US 340
Keep slight right at fork onto US 340
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MD 180
Turn left onto MD 79
Enter roundabout onto MD 17
Continue on MD 17
Enter roundabout onto Petersville Road
Continue on Petersville Road
Continue on Petersville Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Gaithersburg, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.5 and 27.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Hagerstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 70 Exit 5A toward US 340 West, US 15 South: Charles Town, Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South, US 340 West: Charles Town, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 340 / Jefferson National Pike toward US 340 West: Charles Town
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.00 one way
$12.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.99 | $15.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.80 | $1.74 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.17 | $1.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Brunswick on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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.
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed interstate travel with more relaxed local roads. You will spend 58% of your journey on highways, starting with the most significant portion of the drive: a 20.2-mile stretch on I-270. After navigating the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto Jefferson National Pike and eventually Petersville Road. This change keeps the drive engaging, moving you from wide, fast-moving lanes into a more localized driving environment. Expect a blend of fast-paced transit and slower, more deliberate road segments as you head toward your final destination.
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 21.5 miles in.
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 19 decision points packed into just 36.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles (I 70 Exit 5A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gaithersburg, MD and Brunswick, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore and Leesburg.
Baltimore
Leesburg
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 36.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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