How far is College Park, MD from Thurmont, MD?
The driving distance from College Park, MD to Thurmont, MD is about 61.9 miles (99.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.1 miles (82.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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 27m.
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 in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between College Park and Thurmont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between College Park and Thurmont.
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1
Start on Knox Road
2096 ft · 1 min · Knox Road
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2
Turn right onto Mowatt Lane
2151 ft · 1 min · Mowatt Lane
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Campus Drive
52 m · 5 sec · Campus Drive
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Campus Drive
1915 ft · 1 min · Campus Drive
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5
Turn right onto Adelphi Road
2.3 mi · 5 min · Adelphi Road
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6
Turn right onto New Hampshire Avenue
1615 ft · 37 sec · New Hampshire Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495: Northern Virginia, Silver Spring, Baltimore, College Park
798 ft · 20 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 West: Northern Virginia, Silver Spring
1794 ft · 44 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
7.6 mi · 10 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North: Frederick
3.6 mi · 5 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
1052 ft · 16 sec
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13
Merge slight right
21 mi · 26 min
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14
Continue on Frederick Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Frederick Freeway
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15
Continue on Catoctin Mountain Highway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Catoctin Mountain Highway
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16
Turn right onto Blue Mountain Road
693 ft · 24 sec · Blue Mountain Road
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17
Turn left onto Catoctin Furnace Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Catoctin Furnace Road
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18
Continue on Frederick Road
1 km · 1 min · Frederick Road
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Water Street
677 ft · 28 sec · Water Street
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20
Turn right onto East Main Street
62 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between College Park and Thurmont.
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 117
Merge slight right
21 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Sunny leaving College Park and Sunny near Thurmont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from College Park to Thurmont?
The road trip is about 61.9 miles (99.6 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Germantown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.9 miles from College Park and 30.9 miles from Thurmont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.1 miles (82.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 3:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.91 one way or $17.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around College Park and Sunny near Thurmont.
Stop Ideas Near Germantown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
City of Rockville City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Germantown.
Rockville station
Frederick Airport, MD
Frederick, MD
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between College Park and Thurmont. Straight-line distance: 51.15 mi (82.31 km).
#1 College Park
Public research university in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland
| Population | 32,173 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -76.9369200 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thurmont
Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 7,070 |
| Coordinates | 39.6237100, -77.4108200 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thurmont (-77.41082, 39.62371)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 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 | $8.91 | $17.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $10.03 | $20.05 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $10.80 | $21.60 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $13.04 | $26.07 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.