How far is Arbutus, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Arbutus, MD to Columbia, MD is about 13.2 miles (21.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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 15m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Howard County, Maryland, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arbutus and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arbutus and Columbia.
-
1
Start on Shelbourne Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Shelbourne Road
-
2
Turn right onto Sulphur Spring Road
2244 ft · 1 min · Sulphur Spring Road
-
3
Turn right onto Selford Road
946 ft · 19 sec · Selford Road
-
4
Continue on South Rolling Road
1038 ft · 21 sec · South Rolling Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 195 East
122 m · 10 sec
-
6
Continue on I 195 East
652 ft · 16 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Metropolitan Boulevard
1 km · 41 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
2757 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1.1 km · 56 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
-
13
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arbutus 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.
MD 100 West
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Arbutus and Partly Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arbutus to Columbia?
The road trip is about 13.2 miles (21.2 km) and usually takes 00h 15m 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?
West Elkridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.6 miles from Arbutus and 6.6 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 7:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.88 one way or $3.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Arbutus and Partly Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near West Elkridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Relay Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Elkridge.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arbutus and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 7.52 mi (12.11 km).
#1 Arbutus
Census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 20,483 |
| Coordinates | 39.2545500, -76.6999700 |
| Altitude | 46 |
| 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: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.88 | $3.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.12 | $4.23 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.28 | $4.56 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.75 | $5.50 |
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 · Apr 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.