How far is Columbia, MD from Annapolis, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Annapolis, MD is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26 miles (41.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Annapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Annapolis.
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1
Start on MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
123 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn straight onto Clarksville Pike
1031 ft · 19 sec · Clarksville Pike
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3
Continue on Clarksville Pike
2328 ft · 56 sec · Clarksville Pike
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4
Turn straight onto Old Annapolis Road
2 mi · 4 min · Old Annapolis Road
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5
Take the ramp left toward MD 100 East
1160 ft · 28 sec
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6
Merge slight left
10.9 mi · 15 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 97: Annapolis, Baltimore
1403 ft · 34 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
2889 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 6 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Bay Bridge
7.8 mi · 9 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East, US 301 North: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
2157 ft · 53 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · John Hanson Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 70: Rowe Boulevard, Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial, Historic Annapolis State Capital
1291 ft · 32 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on MD 70 : Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis South
1323 ft · 32 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
667 ft · 13 sec · Roscoe Rowe Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto Northwest Street
792 ft · 23 sec · Northwest Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Church Circle
544 ft · 17 sec · School Street
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20
Exit the rotary onto School Street
42 m · 6 sec · School Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · School Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Annapolis.
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 100 East
Merge slight left
10.9 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Columbia and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy near Annapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Annapolis?
The road trip is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Somerset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from Columbia and 18.1 miles from Annapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26 miles (41.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.98 one way or $9.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Columbia and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy near Annapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Somerset
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerset.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Annapolis. Straight-line distance: 25.97 mi (41.79 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Annapolis
City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city
| Population | 39,524 |
| Coordinates | 38.9785900, -76.4918400 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: School Street (-76.491792, 38.978586)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.98 | $9.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.61 | $11.22 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.04 | $12.09 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.30 | $14.59 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.