How far is Columbia, MD from Forest Heights, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Forest Heights, MD is about 39.5 miles (63.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 00h 59m.
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 Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Forest Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Forest Heights.
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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
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
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10
Merge slight left
15.5 mi · 19 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward South Washington
2426 ft · 59 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
5.1 mi · 7 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Richmond, Annapolis
2902 ft · 35 sec
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14
Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
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15
Continue on Anacostia Freeway
4 mi · 7 min · Anacostia Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward South Capitol Street, JBAB
1271 ft · 27 sec
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17
Continue straight
996 ft · 21 sec
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18
Turn straight onto South Capitol Street Southwest
1.6 km · 2 min · South Capitol Street Southwest
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19
Continue on South Capitol Street
1 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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20
Continue on Indian Head Highway
2268 ft · 1 min · Indian Head Highway
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21
Turn left onto Livingston Road
50 m · 9 sec · Livingston Road
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22
Turn right onto Arapahoe Drive
2120 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Drive
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Arapahoe Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Forest Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
15.5 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Columbia and Rain Showers near Forest Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Forest Heights?
The road trip is about 39.5 miles (63.6 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Hillandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Columbia and 19.8 miles from Forest Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.68 one way or $11.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Columbia and Rain Showers near Forest Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Hillandale
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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillandale.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Forest Heights. Straight-line distance: 30.96 mi (49.83 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Heights (-76.99803, 38.80956)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.68 | $11.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.39 | $12.79 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.89 | $13.77 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.31 | $16.62 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.