How far is Columbia, MD from California, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to California, MD is about 85.5 miles (137.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 67.4 miles (108.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m 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 02h 01m.
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 Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and California.
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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
-
3
Continue on Clarksville Pike
565 ft · 26 sec · Clarksville Pike
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 29 South: Columbia, Town Center
2112 ft · 51 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
4.2 mi · 6 min · Columbia Pike
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MD 32 East: Fort Meade
1957 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Shaker Drive, Eden Brook Drive
551 ft · 14 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Patuxent Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Patuxent Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
3124 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 36 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
1256 ft · 34 sec
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12
Turn right onto Forestville Road
130 m · 12 sec · Forestville Road
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13
Turn slight right onto MD 337 South
2.2 mi · 5 min
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14
Turn left onto MD 5 South: Waldorf
2410 ft · 40 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue
8.1 mi · 10 min · Branch Avenue
-
16
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Crain Highway
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17
Take the exit slight left toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
1536 ft · 39 sec
-
18
Merge slight right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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19
Turn left onto Leonardtown Road
10.7 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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20
Continue on Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
-
21
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
1065 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shady Mile Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and California.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 00h 36m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Columbia and Sunny near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to California?
The road trip is about 85.5 miles (137.6 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Camp Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.8 miles from Columbia and 42.8 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 67.4 miles (108.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 2:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.34 one way or $24.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Columbia and Sunny near California.
Stop Ideas Near Camp Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camp Springs.
Washington Union Station
Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and California. Straight-line distance: 67.36 mi (108.41 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.50745, 38.3004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.89 | $27.78 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $14.96 | $29.92 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.