Origin
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gaithersburg, MD to Wheaton, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
23m
Distance
11.1 mi
18 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Wheaton, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Gaithersburg to Wheaton, expect a quick 17-mile trek that typically takes about 25 minutes. Because this journey stays entirely within Maryland, it is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day. You will not need to worry about overnight logistics or high travel expenses, as the estimated fuel cost is only $3. This route is best suited for those looking for a direct connection between these two communities without the complexity of a long-distance excursion. Since there are no required stops, you can complete the drive in one efficient go. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veirs Mill Road | 5.7 mi | 12m |
| Frederick Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Hungerford Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Frederick Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Rockville Pike | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veirs Mill Road
— 5.7 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg, MD and Wheaton, 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
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Frederick Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on MD 355
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hungerford Drive
6
Continue on MD 355
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Rockville Pike
7
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
8
Turn straight onto MD 28
5.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Veirs Mill Road
9
Arrive at destination
MD 586
Heads-up: tricky spots
1 of 11 decision points cluster around mile 0 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue
Turn right onto MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.84 one way
$3.68 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.02 | $4.03 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.15 | $4.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.17 | $0.53 |
| Efficient EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.97 | $0.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
Wheaton, MD
Late night in Wheaton on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience. You will navigate primarily via North Frederick Avenue, South Frederick Avenue, and Frederick Road, which means your focus will be on local traffic patterns rather than open highway cruising. In fact, this route features a 0% highway share, keeping you off the main interstates for the duration of your 25-minute transit. The road profile is defined by frequent turns as you transition between these local thoroughfares. Behind the wheel, you should be prepared for a steady pace that demands your attention to local signage and intersections rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of road.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 5.7 mi on Veirs Mill Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Gaithersburg, MD to Wheaton, MD is easy. At 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
There is one spot that needs extra attention: near the start (MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 11.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 5.7 miles on Veirs Mill Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
There is one spot that needs extra attention: near the start (MD 355 / North Frederick Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wheaton, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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