Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57m
Distance
36.5 mi
59 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
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.
Gwynn Oak, MD
Iqbal farooz
Chevy Chase, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Gwynn Oak to Chevy Chase covers 36.5 miles, typically taking about 57 minutes depending on traffic conditions. This route functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. You can expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly trip within Maryland. The path transitions through the Northeast region using a combination of Columbia Pike, the I-70 Extension, and the Capital Beltway. Because of its manageable length, this drive offers a practical way to navigate between these two Maryland communities without the fatigue of a long-haul excursion.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 21.2 mi | 28m |
| I 70 Extension | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Capital Beltway | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Forest Park Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Colesville Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Hillsdale Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Connecticut Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Jones Bridge Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gwynn Oak, MD and Chevy Chase, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Haddon Avenue
Turn left onto Hillsdale Road
Turn slight right onto West Forest Park Avenue
Continue on Ingleside Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 70 Extension
Take the exit
Merge onto US 29
Continue on US 29
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MD 185
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
Continue on Jones Bridge Road
Turn left onto Kensington Parkway
Turn right onto Montrose Driveway
Turn left onto Stewart Driveway
Continue on Montgomery Avenue
Continue on Kenilworth Driveway
Turn left onto Clifford Avenue
Turn right onto Hutch Place
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.2 miles from Gwynn Oak, 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 8.3 and 35.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellicott City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Bethesda, Northern Virginia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
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 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.05 one way
$12.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.63 | $13.25 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.08 | $14.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.06 | $16.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 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 | 0 | $3.83 | $1.75 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
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 Gwynn Oak on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Chevy Chase on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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 that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will spend about 15% of your time on highways, the personality of this route is defined by its local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Columbia Pike, which spans 21.2 miles of the total distance. The transition from local lanes to the Capital Beltway creates a noticeable shift in pace as you move toward your destination. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive engaging, as you shift from slower, technical sections to more consistent highway speeds.
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 8.3 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 18 decision points packed into just 36.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gwynn Oak, MD and Chevy Chase, MD, road signs point toward Washington, Ellicott City and Northern Virginia.
Washington
Ellicott City
Northern Virginia
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 36.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m 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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