How far is Columbia, MD from Ellicott City, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Ellicott City, MD is about 5 miles (8.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 2.9 miles (4.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 20m 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 10m.
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.
A city in Baltimore County, Maryland.
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 Ellicott City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Ellicott City.
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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
Take the ramp straight toward US 29 North: Baltimore
1475 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
1.3 km · 1 min · Columbia Pike
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
2623 ft · 41 sec
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7
Continue straight
1056 ft · 16 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Long Gate Parkway
864 ft · 21 sec
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9
Turn right onto Long Gate Parkway
2301 ft · 1 min · Long Gate Parkway
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10
Turn left onto Montgomery Road
2556 ft · 1 min · Montgomery Road
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11
Turn right onto Old Columbia Pike
1.5 mi · 4 min · Old Columbia Pike
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Columbia Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Ellicott City.
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.
Old Columbia Pike
Turn right onto Old Columbia Pike
1.48 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.
Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Ellicott City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Ellicott City?
The road trip is about 5 miles (8.1 km) and usually takes 00h 10m 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?
Catonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.5 miles from Columbia and 2.5 miles from Ellicott City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 2.9 miles (4.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.74 one way or $1.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Ellicott City.
Stop Ideas Near Catonsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Catonsville.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Ellicott City. Straight-line distance: 2.88 mi (4.64 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ellicott City
Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 65,834 |
| Coordinates | 39.2673300, -76.7983100 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ellicott City (-76.79831, 39.26733)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 8 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $0.74 | $1.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $0.83 | $1.66 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $0.89 | $1.78 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $1.08 | $2.15 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.