Gaithersburg, MD to Riverside, MD is 70 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via the Intercounty Connector and I-95, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maryland, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a route with frequent turns, characteristic of local travel, rather than a straight shot. This trip is best suited for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward journey with minimal time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35 miles from Gaithersburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Intercounty Connector
15.9 mi
20m
I 95
11.7 mi
13m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
11.6 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
11 mi
12m
Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi
9m
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi
2m
South Frederick Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Shady Grove Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Intercounty Connector
— 15.9 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Riverside, 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 EastUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto MD 200 Toll
16 mi·20 min·Intercounty Connector
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 19CToward I 95: Laurel, BurtonsvilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·39 sec
Toward MD 198: Konterra Drive
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·39 sec
Toward MD 198 West: BurtonsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·50 sec
13
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·13 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto I 895
5.7 mi·6 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Exit 46Toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ThruwayUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 895
1.0 mi·1 min·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
16
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi·3 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi·2 min·Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
18
Continue on I 895
3.7 mi·5 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
8.5 mi·9 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
297 ft·3 sec
21
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·12 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 80Toward MD 543: BelcampUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto MD 543
0.9 mi·1 min·Riverside Parkway
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Church Creek Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Church Creek Road
25
Turn right onto Allison Court
290 ft·14 sec·Allison Court
26
Turn right onto Collier Lane
0.1 mi·32 sec·Collier Lane
27
Continue on Collier Lane
102 ft·4 sec·Collier Lane
28
Arrive at destination
Collier Lane
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 31 minutes, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after morning traffic has subsided. With no designated stops in the data, you have the freedom to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $12; it's always wise to top off before heading out on local roads. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to navigation as you transition between the Intercounty Connector and I-95, as this is where the driving profile changes significantly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35 miles from Gaithersburg, MD, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverside, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gaithersburg, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gaithersburg, MD
This is one driving day of about 70 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Gaithersburg, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Intercounty Connector for about 15.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 68.1 — 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
19.5 mi into trip|~27m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19C
Toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
7
21.5 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 198 West: Burtonsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 198 West: Burtonsville
7
34.5 mi into trip|~45m in|I 895 / Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Take the exit onto I 895 / Harbor Tunnel Thruway toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thr...
7
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward MD 543: Belcamp
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 80
Toward MD 543: Belcamp
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.61 one way
$23.21 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.71
$25.42
premium
$4.93
$13.58
$27.15
diesel
$5.61
$15.46
$30.91
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(11.6 mi)$0.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.13
$2.80
EV Truck/SUV
28
0
$9.80
$4.48
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Gaithersburg, MD
Morning
in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 7 to 12 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Riverside, MD
Morning
in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 31m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor. They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864. On July...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 18% of the route on highways. While you'll encounter some interstate travel on I-95 and the Harbor Tunnel Thruway, much of the journey will involve navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 15.9 miles on the Intercounty Connector. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that shifts between faster highway segments and more intricate local road navigation.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.9 mi on Intercounty Connector.
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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 19 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Riverside, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Burtonsville along the way.
Burtonsville
19.5 mi in|~27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 70 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.9 miles on Intercounty Connector. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.81 in tolls one way, starting with Harbor Tunnel Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Riverside, 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 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.
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 Riverside, MD before heading back.
