How far is Baltimore Highlands, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Baltimore Highlands, MD to Columbia, MD is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 10.9 miles (17.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
17.61 mi
00h 21m
Flight
10.86 mi
17.48 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Baltimore Highlands.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
10.86 mi
Kilometers
17.48 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
17.61 mi
Kilometers
28.34 km
Drive Time
00h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 12:44 PM EDT
Return by in Baltimore Highlands
Wed, Apr 15, 1:06 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Baltimore Highlands
2026-04-15T12:23
Arrive Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 12:44 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:21 AM to 7:21 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Baltimore Highlands
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
West Elkridge
MD

City in Howard County, Maryland, United States of America

From Baltimore Highlands
8.7 mi
00h 10m
To Columbia
8.9 mi
00h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
66°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Baltimore Highlands and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore Highlands and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Street

    811 ft · 30 sec · Washington Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Delaware Avenue

    1171 ft · 47 sec · Delaware Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Annapolis Road

    2656 ft · 1 min · Annapolis Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard

    1385 ft · 43 sec · Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Nursery Road

    1 mi · 3 min · Nursery Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Fairview Avenue

    152 m · 22 sec · Fairview Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 695 North

    1097 ft · 27 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway

    2 mi · 3 min · Baltimore Beltway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Washington

    2281 ft · 55 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City

    1.1 km · 56 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 7 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington

    3071 ft · 48 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Baltimore Highlands and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
90.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
6.1 mi · 35%
MD 100 West
5.48 mi · 31%
Baltimore Beltway
1.96 mi · 11%
Nursery Road
1.02 mi · 6%
US 29 South
0.58 mi · 3%
Annapolis Road
0.5 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 95 South

Merge slight left

5.67 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 21m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.7 mi
10.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Elkridge
00h 10m from Baltimore Highlands
Leave By
7:48 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Baltimore Highlands and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Baltimore Highlands to Columbia?

The road trip is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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 8.7 miles from Baltimore Highlands and 8.9 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 10.9 miles (17.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 7:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.53 one way or $5.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Baltimore Highlands and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near West Elkridge

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around West Elkridge and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.6 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 8.4 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 1.6 mi away

Relay Town Hall

Halethorpe , MD
1710 Arlington Ave, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Elkridge.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

3 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

15 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

31 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

39 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Baltimore Highlands and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 10.86 mi (17.48 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Baltimore Highlands

Baltimore Highlands is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2331600, -76.6366300
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Street (-76.636966, 39.233245)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 28 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.62 gal
2.35 L · about $2.53
Round trip
$5.07
1.24 gal · 4.7 L
Estimated CO2
5.5 kg one way
Round trip: 11 kg / 24 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $2.53 $5.07
Mid-grade $4.60 $2.85 $5.70
Premium $4.95 $3.07 $6.14
Diesel $5.98 $3.71 $7.42

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Baltimore Highlands and Columbia. The current time is 12:23:14.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.