How far is Baltimore, MD from Potomac, MD?
The driving distance from Baltimore, MD to Potomac, MD is about 43.5 miles (70 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 01m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Baltimore and Potomac.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore and Potomac.
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1
Start on East Fayette Street
149 m · 23 sec · East Fayette Street
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2
Turn left onto Saint Paul Street
95 m · 11 sec · Saint Paul Street
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3
Continue on Light Street
1913 ft · 1 min · Light Street
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4
Turn right onto East Conway Street
1625 ft · 52 sec · East Conway Street
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5
Turn left onto Cal Ripken Way
1.1 km · 2 min · Cal Ripken Way
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Washington
1.2 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
24.6 mi · 29 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
1 km · 1 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
1.3 km · 1 min · Capital Beltway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 187: Rockville, Bethesda
1179 ft · 29 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on MD 187 North: Old Georgetown Road, Rockville
137 m · 11 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Old Georgetown Road
3019 ft · 1 min · Old Georgetown Road
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15
Turn left onto Democracy Boulevard
4.4 mi · 8 min · Democracy Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Falls Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Falls Road
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17
Turn left
25 m · 6 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Baltimore and Potomac.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
24.6 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Baltimore and Sunny near Potomac.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Baltimore to Potomac?
The road trip is about 43.5 miles (70 km) and usually takes 01h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.7 miles from Baltimore and 21.7 miles from Potomac.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.25 one way or $12.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Baltimore and Sunny near Potomac.
Stop Ideas Near West Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Rockville City Hall
D C Government
City of Bowie
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Laurel.
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Baltimore and Potomac. Straight-line distance: 37.08 mi (59.67 km).
#1 Baltimore
The thirty-first most populous city in the United States and the center of the Baltimore metropolitan area.
| Population | 586,131 |
| Coordinates | 39.2903800, -76.6121900 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Potomac
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 44,965 |
| Coordinates | 39.0181700, -77.2085900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Potomac (-77.20859, 39.01817)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 70 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.04 | $14.07 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.58 | $15.16 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.15 | $18.30 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.