How far is Columbia, MD from Arbutus, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Arbutus, MD is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 42m 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 21m.
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.
City in Howard County, Maryland, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Arbutus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Arbutus.
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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
3.2 mi · 4 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Baltimore
1584 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville
1708 ft · 22 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on MD 166: Catonsville
2203 ft · 54 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Metropolitan Boulevard
2089 ft · 25 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
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12
Take the exit slight right toward UMBC Campus
1922 ft · 36 sec
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13
Turn straight onto UMBC Boulevard
117 m · 13 sec · UMBC Boulevard
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward UMBC Boulevard
58 m · 5 sec · UMBC Boulevard
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15
Exit the roundabout onto UMBC Boulevard
1012 ft · 35 sec · UMBC Boulevard
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hilltop Circle
36 m · 3 sec · Hilltop Circle
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Hilltop Circle
2757 ft · 2 min · Hilltop Circle
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18
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
1286 ft · 39 sec · Poplar Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Shelbourne Road
994 ft · 34 sec · Shelbourne Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shelbourne Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Arbutus.
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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
3.64 mi · 00h 04m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Arbutus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Arbutus?
The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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?
West Elkridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.4 miles from Columbia and 6.5 miles from Arbutus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.84 one way or $3.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Arbutus.
Stop Ideas Near West Elkridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Relay Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Elkridge.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Arbutus. Straight-line distance: 7.52 mi (12.11 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arbutus
Census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 20,483 |
| Coordinates | 39.2545500, -76.6999700 |
| Altitude | 46 |
| Country | United States |
End: Arbutus (-76.69997, 39.25455)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.84 | $3.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.07 | $4.14 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.23 | $4.46 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.69 | $5.38 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.