How far is Annapolis, MD from Columbia, MD?
Fastest route
The route from Annapolis, Maryland, USA to Columbia, Maryland, USA is approximately 29.3 miles and takes about 43 minutes. The fastest route at the moment is via MD-32 W, avoiding road closures on College Ave.
Directions
To reach Columbia from Annapolis, follow these directions:
- Head north on Church Cir toward School St.
- Turn right onto Calvert St.
- Continue onto MD-70/Rowe Blvd and follow MD-70.
- Continue onto Bestgate Rd.
- Follow MD-32 W to Broken Land Pkwy in Columbia. Take exit 14 from MD-32 W.
- Keep right at the fork to continue on MD-32 W, following signs for MD-3/Columbia/Bowie.
- Take exit 14 toward Broken Land Pkwy. Keep right at the fork, following signs for Park & Ride, and merge onto Broken Land Pkwy.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Use the right lane to take the US-29 S ramp to Washington.
- ⚠️ Stay updated on road closures and traffic conditions before starting your journey.
- 🕒 Plan your trip considering the estimated travel time of 43 minutes.
- 🛣️ Follow the designated routes, such as MD-32 W, to ensure a smooth journey.
- 🚧 Be aware of any construction or roadwork that may affect the route.
- 📍 Use GPS or navigation tools for real-time guidance during the trip.
- ⛽ Make sure to have enough fuel for the journey, especially if your vehicle has a limited range.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Annapolis and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Annapolis and Columbia.
-
1
Start on School Street
42 m · 6 sec · School Street
-
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Church Circle
24 m · 2 sec · College Avenue
-
3
Exit the rotary onto College Avenue
105 m · 7 sec · College Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto Bladen Street
1489 ft · 41 sec · Bladen Street
-
5
Continue on Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
-
6
Take the ramp straight
2017 ft · 53 sec
-
7
Continue on John Hanson Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · John Hanson Highway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 97 North: Baltimore
1.5 km · 1 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 97 North: Baltimore
1 km · 51 sec
-
10
Continue straight
6 mi · 7 min
-
11
Keep slight left
7 mi · 8 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100: Ellicott City, Gibson Island
1350 ft · 33 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1.3 km · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 18 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
-
16
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Annapolis and Columbia.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy leaving Annapolis and Patchy Fog near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Annapolis to Columbia?
The road trip is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Somerset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Annapolis and 17 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26 miles (41.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.90 one way or $9.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy around Annapolis and Patchy Fog near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Somerset
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerset.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Annapolis and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 25.97 mi (41.79 km).
#1 Annapolis
City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city
| Population | 39,524 |
| Coordinates | 38.9785900, -76.4918400 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.90 | $9.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.52 | $11.04 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.94 | $11.89 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.18 | $14.35 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Maryland · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.