How far is Charlestown, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Charlestown, MD to Columbia, MD is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.6 miles (83 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m 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 08m.
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.
Community in Baltimore County Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlestown and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown and Columbia.
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1
Start on the route
79 m · 22 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Market Street
794 ft · 27 sec · Market Street
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3
Continue on Cecil Street
994 ft · 31 sec · Cecil Street
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4
Turn right onto Baltimore Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Baltimore Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Old Philadelphia Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Old Philadelphia Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pulaski Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Pulaski Highway
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7
Turn right onto Jackson Station Road
18 m · 3 sec · Jackson Station Road
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8
Continue on Jackson Station Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · Jackson Station Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Blythedale Road
156 m · 14 sec · Blythedale Road
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Blythedale Road
2190 ft · 1 min · Blythedale Road
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11
Turn left onto Perrylawn Drive
1418 ft · 31 sec · Perrylawn Drive
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12
Take the ramp left toward I 95 South: Baltimore
1661 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
25.3 mi · 29 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi · 8 min · Express Toll Lanes
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi · 2 min · Express Toll Lanes
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16
Merge slight right onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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17
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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18
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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19
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2567 ft · 40 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2671 ft · 42 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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21
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
6 mi · 7 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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22
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1.1 km · 56 sec
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24
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
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26
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
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27
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlestown 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.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
25.3 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlestown and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlestown to Columbia?
The road trip is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?
White Marsh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.4 miles from Charlestown and 31.3 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.6 miles (83 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 4:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.03 one way or $18.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlestown and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near White Marsh
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 White Marsh.
Pennsylvania Station
Aberdeen
BWI Rail Station
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlestown and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 51.58 mi (83.01 km).
#1 Charlestown
Town in Cecil County, Maryland
| Population | 1,198 |
| Coordinates | 39.5737300, -75.9749500 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| 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: 101 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $9.03 | $18.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $10.16 | $20.33 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $13.22 | $26.43 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.