How far is Columbia, MD from Cape Saint Claire, MD?

The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Cape Saint Claire, MD is about 30 miles (48.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
30.02 mi
00h 46m
Flight
25.15 mi
40.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.15 mi
Kilometers
40.47 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.02 mi
Kilometers
48.32 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Saint Claire
Sat, Apr 18, 10:25 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Sat, Apr 18, 11:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-18T09:38
Arrive Cape Saint Claire
Sat, Apr 18, 10:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Somerset
MD

Town in Maryland, United States

From Columbia
15 mi
00h 23m
To Cape Saint Claire
15 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Cape Saint Claire.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Cape Saint Claire.

  1. 1

    Start on MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    123 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto Clarksville Pike

    1031 ft · 19 sec · Clarksville Pike

  3. 3

    Continue on Clarksville Pike

    2328 ft · 56 sec · Clarksville Pike

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Old Annapolis Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Old Annapolis Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward MD 100 East

    1160 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    15.5 mi · 21 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Arundel Expressway

    1653 ft · 26 sec · Arundel Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Arundel Expressway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Arundel Expressway

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Ritchie Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Ritchie Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Governor Ritchie Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Governor Ritchie Highway

  11. 11

    Turn left onto College Parkway

    4.1 mi · 8 min · College Parkway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Green Holly Drive

    1969 ft · 56 sec · Green Holly Drive

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Chestnut Tree Drive

    2071 ft · 1 min · Chestnut Tree Drive

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Latrobe Drive

    561 ft · 27 sec · Latrobe Drive

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Dogwood Tree Drive

    1352 ft · 59 sec · Dogwood Tree Drive

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dogwood Tree Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Cape Saint Claire.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MD 100 East
15.8 mi · 52%
College Parkway
4.09 mi · 14%
Governor Ritchie Highway
2.94 mi · 10%
Ritchie Highway
2.36 mi · 8%
Old Annapolis Road
2 mi · 7%
Arundel Expressway
1.04 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

MD 100 East

Merge slight left

15.5 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
25.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Somerset
00h 23m from Columbia
Leave By
4:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Cape Saint Claire.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Cape Saint Claire?

The road trip is about 30 miles (48.3 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Somerset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15 miles from Columbia and 15 miles from Cape Saint Claire.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 4:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.33 one way or $8.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Cape Saint Claire.

Stop Ideas Near Somerset

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Somerset and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12.5 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 9.8 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 14.3 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerset.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

7 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

17 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

30 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
BUS

Kent Island, MD

39 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Cape Saint Claire. Straight-line distance: 25.15 mi (40.47 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Cape Saint Claire

Park in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States of America

Population8,747
Coordinates39.0431700, -76.4449600
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-76.83942, 39.24038)
End: Cape Saint Claire (-76.44496, 39.04317)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.06 gal
4.01 L · about $4.33
Round trip
$8.66
2.12 gal · 8.02 L
Estimated CO2
9.4 kg one way
Round trip: 18.8 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.33 $8.66
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.87 $9.75
Premium $4.95 $5.25 $10.50
Diesel $5.98 $6.34 $12.68

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

There is no time difference between Columbia and Cape Saint Claire. The current time is 09:38:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.