Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
37m
Distance
25.1 mi
40 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Riverside, MD
Sjuan Dogjani
This 25.1-mile drive from Gaithersburg to Riverside, Maryland, is a quick 37-minute journey perfect for a single day trip. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with a 0% highway share, suggesting a more connected, turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $4, and with no designated stops, this route offers flexibility. It's a straightforward trip entirely within Maryland's Northeast region, making it an easy excursion without the need for an overnight stay. Consider this your go-to for a short, efficient hop between these two points.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Intercounty Connector | 12.8 mi | 16m |
| Columbia Pike | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Shady Grove Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Frederick Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Rivers Edge Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Frederick Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Rivers View Court | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Riverside, 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
Merge onto US 29
Take the exit
Continue on Rivers Edge Road
Turn left onto Rivers View Court
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 24.6 — 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 US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
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 29 North: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto US 29 / Columbia Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Rivers Edge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$4.16 one way
$8.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.87 | $9.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.54 | $11.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.64 | $1.20 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.20 | $1.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.61 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
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 Riverside 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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway sections to speak of. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.8 miles along the Intercounty Connector, offering a brief period of more consistent travel. You'll transition between roads like Columbia Pike and South Frederick Avenue, which are characteristic of local arteries. This means you should be prepared for frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you make your way through communities.
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 - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 25.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
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 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Columbia along the way.
Columbia
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 37m. Total distance: 25.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
37m 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.
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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