This 71-mile drive from Rising Sun, MD to Silver Spring, MD will take approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip with no need for an overnight stay. You'll be navigating local roads for the entire journey, as this route has a 0% highway share. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $12, making it an economical option. As both your origin and destination are within Maryland in the Northeast region, you'll experience a consistent local driving feel throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.7 miles from Rising Sun, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
29m
Woodsboro Pike
12.3 mi
17m
I 270
9.4 mi
12m
Francis Scott Key Highway
6.1 mi
11m
Frederick Freeway
4 mi
5m
Capital Beltway
3.7 mi
5m
Liberty Road
1.9 mi
2m
Georgia Avenue
1.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
— 22.9 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rising Sun, MD and Silver Spring, MD.
1
Start on Baptist Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Baptist Road
2
Turn left onto MD 140
1.2 mi·1 min·Taneytown Pike
3
Continue on MD 140
0.5 mi·1 min·West Baltimore Street
4
Turn right onto MD 194
0.2 mi·29 sec·Frederick Street
5
Continue on MD 194
6.1 mi·11 min·Francis Scott Key Highway
6
Continue on MD 194
12 mi·17 min·Woodsboro Pike
7
Continue on MD 26
1.9 mi·2 min·Liberty Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 26
0.5 mi·1 min·MD 26
Toward US 15 South
9
Continue on US 15
4.0 mi·5 min·Frederick Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 270
23 mi·29 min·Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
6.6 mi·9 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
2.8 mi·3 min·I 270
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College ParkUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 495
3.7 mi·5 min·Capital Beltway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 31BToward MD 97 South: Georgia Avenue South, Silver SpringUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto MD 97
1.8 mi·4 min·Georgia Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 29
93 ft·9 sec·Georgia Avenue
17
Turn right
158 ft·13 sec
18
Turn right
85 ft·6 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 21 minutes, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Silver Spring. Since there are no designated stops in the data and it's a local drive, you can be flexible with when and where you might want to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $12, and plan for a refuel if needed before you depart Rising Sun, MD.
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 32.7 miles from Rising Sun, MD, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.9 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 14 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.7 miles or 50m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Silver Spring, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rising Sun, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rising Sun, MD
This is one driving day of about 65.3 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Rising Sun, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Eisenhower Memorial Highway for about 22.9 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.7 and 63.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
22.7 mi into trip|~36m in|MD 26
Keep slight left at fork onto MD 26 toward US 15 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 15 South
6
50.2 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
56.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
8
63.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward MD 97 South: Georgia Avenue South, Silver Spring
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 31B
Toward MD 97 South: Georgia Avenue South, Silve...
5
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|MD 97 / Georgia Avenue
Turn right onto MD 97 / Georgia Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.83 one way
$21.65 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.86
$23.71
premium
$4.93
$12.66
$25.33
diesel
$5.61
$14.42
$28.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.6
0
$6.86
$3.13
Efficient EV
16.3
0
$5.71
$2.61
EV Truck/SUV
26.1
0
$9.14
$4.18
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Rising Sun, MD
Night
in Rising Sun on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Silver Spring, MD
Night
in Silver Spring on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
3 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
1h 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Monocacy National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
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!
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 38.3
23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$20
near mile 24.8
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 71-mile journey. You won't encounter any stretches of interstate or major highway, as the highway share is 0%. The route primarily follows Taneytown Pike, West Baltimore Street, and Frederick Street, which are all local roads. Without a 'longest stretch' noted in the data, it's reasonable to assume you'll be making frequent adjustments and navigating through various local communities.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.9 mi on Eisenhower Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 22.7 miles in near MD 26.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 22.7 miles (MD 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.2 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.8 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Rising Sun, MD to Silver Spring, MD, road signs begin pointing toward College Park along the way.
College Park
56.8 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 270
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 65.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.9 miles on Eisenhower Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Silver Spring, 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 22.7 miles (MD 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.2 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.8 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Monocacy National Battlefield, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). 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 Silver Spring, MD before heading back.
