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Trip from Gaithersburg, MD to Lutherville, MD

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 12m

Distance

51.3 mi

83 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 7m ★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
Downtown Gaithersburg, MD, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

Kristopher Hines

Downtown Lutherville, MD, MD

Lutherville, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

Gaithersburg, MD to Lutherville, MD is 51.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 12 minutes via Columbia Pike, Intercounty Connector, and Baltimore Beltway, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a fairly turn-heavy local drive, so it's not a high-speed cruise but rather a steady progression through local areas. With only 1 recommended day and no designated stops, this trip is best suited for a straightforward journey rather than an extended exploration.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Columbia Pike 16.5 mi 21m
Intercounty Connector 12.8 mi 16m
Baltimore Beltway 11.3 mi 15m
I 70 3.8 mi 4m
South Frederick Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
Shady Grove Road 1.1 mi 2m
Frederick Road 0.4 mi <1m
North Frederick Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Columbia Pike — 16.5 mi, about 21m

Traffic on I-695

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~4,712 veh/hr typical · worst 6,793

Quietest

2 AM

~332 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

14.2×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Lutherville, MD.

1

Start on this road

85 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto MD 355

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Frederick Avenue
3

Continue on MD 355

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Frederick Avenue
4

Continue on MD 355

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Frederick Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Turn left onto Shady Grove Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Shady Grove Road
6

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward MD 200 Toll East Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto MD 200 Toll

13 mi · 16 min · Intercounty Connector
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 16A-B Toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Exit 16B Toward US 29 North: Columbia
10

Merge onto US 29

17 mi · 21 min · Columbia Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward I 70 East: Baltimore Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 70

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 70
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 91B-A Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 91B Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson Use the slight left lane.
15

Merge onto I 695

11 mi · 15 min · Baltimore Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 55 sec
Exit 25 Toward MD 139: Charles Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn left onto MD 139

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Charles Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Turn right onto Clark Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Clark Avenue
19

Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue

138 ft · 10 sec · Lincoln Avenue
20

Turn left onto Francke Avenue

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Francke Avenue
21

Turn right onto MD 131

54 ft · 1 sec · West Seminary Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

MD 131

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Riverside, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riverside, MD

26 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

Wheaton, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Riverside, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.6 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 38.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in

Turn left toward MD 200 Toll East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward MD 200 Toll East
8
16.4 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia

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 16A-B Toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
7
33.6 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East: Baltimore

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25A Toward I 70 East: Baltimore
8
38.1 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie

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 91B-A Toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Tows...
9
38.3 mi into trip | ~52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 695 North: New York, Towson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 91B Toward I 695 North: New York, Towson

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.07 one way

$18.14 round trip

$4.49/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.92 $9.94 $19.87
premium $5.24 $10.59 $21.18
diesel $5.35 $10.81 $21.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.4 0 $5.39 $2.46
Efficient EV 12.8 0 $4.49 $2.05
EV Truck/SUV 20.5 0 $7.18 $3.28

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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.

Forecast as of Jun 3, 2026

Origin

Gaithersburg, MD

Evening in Gaithersburg on Wednesday

Local time

5:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Sunny

N 7 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Lutherville, MD

Evening in Lutherville on Wednesday

Local time

5:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Sunny

N 7 mph 1% chance Live forecast

60°F

Riverside, MD

26 mi in

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 12m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a mix of driving experiences, with a highway share of 7%. You'll begin on Columbia Pike, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 16.5 miles, suggesting a more local feel initially. The journey then incorporates the Intercounty Connector and Baltimore Beltway, likely providing faster segments before returning to more local roads as you approach Lutherville. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates you'll be navigating numerous intersections and changes in direction throughout the 1-hour and 12-minute trip.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.5 mi on Columbia Pike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 3.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

501 ft 338 ft

Total Climb

235 ft

Total Descent

322 ft

Highest Point

501 ft

Elevation Range

163 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Gaithersburg, MD and Lutherville, MD, road signs point toward Columbia, Towson, Baltimore and Glen Burnie.

Columbia

16.4 mi in | ~23m

Towson

38.1 mi in | ~52m

Baltimore

38.1 mi in | ~52m

Glen Burnie

38.1 mi in | ~52m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

1h 4m in 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mount Washington, MD

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Starbucks

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

24min in 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Silver Spring, MD

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Bread & Circuses Bistro

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

1h 12m in 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Towson, MD

Visit website

Cafe Moka Cafe

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

16min in 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Great Day Cafe

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

1h 12m in 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Starbucks

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

16min in 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Olney, MD

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Ledo Pizza

Restaurant

Near the start, short detour

8min in 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Derwood, MD

Cuisine: pizza;pasta

Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-23:00; Su 11...

Visit website

Panera Bread

Fast_food

Near the end, short detour

1h 4m in 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Pikesville, MD

Cuisine: sandwich;bakery

Hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00

Visit website

Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro

Restaurant

Around the midpoint, short detour

40min in 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Columbia, MD

Cuisine: asian;chinese

Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-21:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12...

Visit website

Noches de Lima

Restaurant

Near the start, short detour

8min in 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Si Salsa

Restaurant

Near the end, short detour

1h 4m in 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chipotle

Fast_food

Early in the drive, short detour

24min in 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Silver Spring, MD

Cuisine: mexican

Visit website

Edgewood Park

Park

Early in the drive, right off the route

24min in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

YMCA Silver Spring Community Branch Park

Park

Early in the drive, right off the route

16min in 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Norwood Park

Park

Early in the drive, short detour

16min in 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Strawberry Knoll Park

Park

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Sewells Orchard Park

Park

Around the midpoint, short detour

40min in 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Flower Hill Park

Park

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Fire Museum of Maryland

Museum

Near the end, right off the route

1h 12m in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

MD

Visit website

Charles E Kratz Memorial Park

Memorial

Near the end, right off the route

1h 4m in 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Dickeyville Historic District

District

Later in the drive, short detour

56min in 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ellicott City Historic District

District

Later in the drive, short detour

48min in 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Banneker School

Monument

Later in the drive, short detour

56min in 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Old Savage Dam Gates

Ruins

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

32min in 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Gaithersburg, MD

Full guide →

Founded 1802

Gaithersburg is a city of 70,000 people (2020) in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Top landmarks

  • • Gaithersburg — MARC rail station in Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States

Arriving in Lutherville, MD

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 51.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 16.5 miles on Columbia Pike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Lutherville, 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 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.6 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 Lutherville, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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