How far is California, MD from Silver Spring, MD?
The driving distance from California, MD to Silver Spring, MD is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.3 miles (89 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m 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 32m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between California and Silver Spring.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California and Silver Spring.
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1
Start on Shady Mile Drive
995 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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2
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
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3
Continue on Leonardtown Road
10.6 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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4
Turn right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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5
Merge slight left onto Crain Highway
2.5 mi · 4 min · Crain Highway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Branch Avenue
9 mi · 12 min · Branch Avenue
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
2193 ft · 53 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
18.3 mi · 25 min · Capital Beltway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Silver Spring
1216 ft · 30 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Colesville Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Colesville Road
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12
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
2287 ft · 59 sec · Georgia Avenue
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13
Continue on Georgia Avenue
28 m · 10 sec · Georgia Avenue
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14
Turn right
48 m · 14 sec
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15
Turn right
26 m · 6 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between California and Silver Spring.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Three Notch Road
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving California and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Silver Spring.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from California to Silver Spring?
The road trip is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?
Brandywine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from California and 36.3 miles from Silver Spring.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.3 miles (89 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 3:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.85 one way or $21.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around California and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Silver Spring.
Stop Ideas Near Brandywine
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brandywine.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between California and Silver Spring. Straight-line distance: 55.3 mi (88.99 km).
#1 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Silver Spring
A city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 71,452 |
| Coordinates | 38.9906700, -77.0260900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.026096, 38.9908)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $10.85 | $21.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $12.40 | $24.79 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $13.17 | $26.35 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $16.29 | $32.57 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026