Origin
Wheaton, MD
Late night in Wheaton on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wheaton, MD to Gaithersburg, 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
12 mi
19 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 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wheaton, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Gaithersburg, MD
Kristopher Hines
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Wheaton and Gaithersburg, Maryland, you are in for a quick 14.8-mile journey. This trip typically takes about 24 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will not need to budget much for gas, as the estimated fuel cost is only $2. Because the entire route remains within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent local atmosphere from start to finish. There is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics for this straightforward connection. It is an ideal option if you need a reliable, low-cost way to move between these two Maryland communities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veirs Mill Road | 5.4 mi | 10m |
| East Gude Drive | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Frederick Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Frederick Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| First Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Norbeck Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veirs Mill Road
— 5.4 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton, MD and Gaithersburg, MD.
1
Start on MD 586
322 ft
·
15 sec
·
Veirs Mill Road
2
Continue on MD 586
5.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Veirs Mill Road
3
Turn right onto MD 28
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
First Street
4
Continue on MD 28
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Norbeck Road
5
Turn left onto East Gude Drive
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East Gude Drive
6
Turn right onto MD 355
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Frederick Road
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on MD 355
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
8
Turn left
85 ft
·
6 sec
9
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
2 of 22 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 11.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
MD 355 / Frederick Road
Turn right onto MD 355 / Frederick Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
3
11.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.99 one way
$3.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.18 | $4.36 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.33 | $4.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.65 | $5.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.2 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 | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| Efficient EV | 3 | 0 | $1.05 | $0.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
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
Gaithersburg, MD
Late night in Gaithersburg on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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 cooler 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 through suburban corridors using Veirs Mill Road, First Street, and Norbeck Road to reach your destination. With a 0% highway share, you should prepare for frequent stops and intersections rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open road. The nature of this path demands your full attention as you transition between these local thoroughfares. Behind the wheel, the drive feels utilitarian and direct, focusing on neighborhood connectivity over scenic highway cruising.
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: 5.4 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 around 8.5 miles in near MD 355 / Frederick Road.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Wheaton, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is easy. At 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (MD 355 / Frederick Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 12 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 5.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (MD 355 / Frederick Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gaithersburg, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Gaithersburg, MD
More trips to Gaithersburg, MD
Explore more options from Wheaton, MD or browse trips ending in Gaithersburg, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.