Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
26m
Distance
15.8 mi
25 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
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.
Silver Spring, MD
www.kaboompics.com
Riverside, MD
Sjuan Dogjani
This short 15.8-mile drive from Silver Spring, MD to Riverside, MD takes approximately 26 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $3, you won't break the bank on this journey. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Columbia Pike, Colesville Road, and Georgia Avenue, offering a straightforward connection within the Northeast region of Maryland. Since there are no designated overnight stops and the drive is brief, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Expect a straightforward local commute rather than an epic adventure.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Pike | 12.2 mi | 17m |
| Colesville Road | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Georgia Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Rivers Edge Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Rivers View Court | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring, MD and Riverside, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right
Merge onto US 29
Turn right onto US 29
Continue on 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 0 and 15.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Merge onto US 29 / Georgia Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining
Turn right onto US 29 / Colesville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Rivers Edge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Rivers View Court
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$2.62 one way
$5.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.87 | $5.74 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.06 | $6.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.49 | $6.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.66 | $0.76 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.38 | $0.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.21 | $1.01 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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 Silver Spring on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
1:57 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.
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating through familiar streets and intersections for the entire 15.8 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.2 miles along Columbia Pike. This means you should anticipate frequent changes in speed and direction as you make your way through suburban Maryland. The road's personality is that of a typical, well-trafficked local artery, requiring your attention at each junction.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 26m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 29 / Georgia Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 0.4 miles (US 29 / Colesville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 26m. Total distance: 15.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
26m 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 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Silver Spring, MD or browse trips ending in Riverside, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
