Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
40m
Distance
28.3 mi
46 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockville, MD
Jonathan Borba
Ballenger Creek, MD
Keith Cassill
If you are looking for a straightforward commute or a quick transition between Rockville and Ballenger Creek, this 28.3-mile trip is an efficient choice. You can easily complete the journey in about 40 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an economical route that keeps your travel costs low. Because both locations are situated within Maryland, you will stay firmly in the Northeast region throughout the duration of your travel. This highway-focused drive is designed for practicality rather than sightseeing, helping you reach your destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 270 | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| West Montgomery Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Buckeystown Pike | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Executive Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Robin Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| New Design Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Jefferson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Canada Goose Court | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rockville, MD and Ballenger Creek, MD.
Start on South Washington Street
Turn left onto West Montgomery Avenue
Turn straight onto MD 28
Continue on MD 28
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Turn left
Turn left onto MD 85
Continue on MD 85
Turn right onto Executive Way
At end of road, turn left onto New Design Road
Turn right onto Robin Drive
Turn right onto Canada Goose Court
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 26.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto West Montgomery Avenue
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left toward MD 85 South: Buckeystown
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Executive Way
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$4.69 one way
$9.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.14 | $10.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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 Rockville on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Ballenger Creek on Sunday
Local time
12:27 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 focused interstate experience, as 85% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-270, which accounts for a 24.2-mile stretch of the trip. After navigating West Montgomery Avenue to reach the interstate, the drive settles into a consistent, fast-paced rhythm. The transition from the urban environment of Rockville to the more residential character of Ballenger Creek is facilitated by this primary artery. You will eventually exit onto Buckeystown Pike, which provides the final connection to complete your 28.3-mile journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 270 and West Montgomery Avenue. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Montgomery Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.3 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: near the start (West Montgomery Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
81 ft
Total Descent
238 ft
Highest Point
482 ft
~22.2 mi in
Elevation Range
183 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Rockville, MD to Ballenger Creek, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Buckeystown along the way.
Buckeystown
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 28.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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