Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
37 mi
60 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good 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
Ilchester, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Gaithersburg, MD to Ilchester, MD is 37 miles and takes about 53 minutes via the Intercounty Connector and I-95, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip primarily within Maryland's Northeast region. Given its short duration and relatively low fuel cost, it's an easy drive for a quick local excursion. The route offers a mix of highway speeds and local road navigation, making it practical for commuting or a brief regional visit.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Intercounty Connector | 15.9 mi | 20m |
| I 95 | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Ilchester Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Shady Grove Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| MD 100 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Montgomery Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Frederick Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Ilchester, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right onto MD 355
Continue on MD 355
Continue on MD 355
Turn left onto Shady Grove Road
Turn left
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto MD 100
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Enter roundabout onto MD 103
Continue on MD 103
Continue on MD 103
Turn right onto Ilchester Road
Turn slight left
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.5 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 3.1 and 33 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left toward MD 200 Toll East
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
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 MD 198 West: Burtonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 103: Meadowridge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.13 one way
$12.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.72 | $13.44 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.18 | $14.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 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 | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.24 | $1.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
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
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Ilchester on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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 drive leans heavily on local roads, with a "turn-heavy" profile for a significant portion. While about 27% of the journey involves highway travel, including a 15.9-mile stretch on the Intercounty Connector, expect frequent changes in speed and direction. The feel of the drive will transition from potentially faster highway segments to more intricate local navigation as you approach your destination. This characteristic means you'll be actively engaged with the road, rather than settling into a long, monotonous interstate cruise.
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 3.1 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 15 decision points packed into just 37 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Ilchester, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Burtonsville along the way.
Burtonsville
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 37 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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