How far is Columbia, MD from Kensington, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Kensington, MD is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.6 miles (28.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m 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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Kensington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Kensington.
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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
10.9 mi · 15 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 97: Annapolis, Baltimore
1403 ft · 34 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 97 South: Annapolis, Bay Bridge
2889 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Severna Park
2100 ft · 51 sec
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11
Continue on Benfield Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Benfield Boulevard
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12
Continue on Benfield Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Benfield Road
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13
Turn left onto Kensington Avenue East
105 m · 20 sec · Kensington Avenue East
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14
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
101 m · 17 sec · Brentwood Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Banyon Avenue
123 m · 18 sec · Banyon Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Banyon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Kensington.
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.
MD 100 East
Merge slight left
10.9 mi · 00h 15m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Columbia and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kensington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Kensington?
The road trip is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Severn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.9 miles from Columbia and 10.9 miles from Kensington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.6 miles (28.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 7:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.15 one way or $6.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Columbia and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kensington.
Stop Ideas Near Severn
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Severn.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Kensington. Straight-line distance: 17.64 mi (28.39 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kensington
Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,448 |
| Coordinates | 39.0831700, -76.5799600 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kensington (-76.57996, 39.08317)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.15 | $6.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.54 | $7.08 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.81 | $7.63 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.60 | $9.21 |
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.