How far is Columbia, MD from Lanham, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Lanham, MD is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m 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 39m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Lanham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Lanham.
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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
18 mi · 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 450: Bladensburg, Lanham
1489 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on MD 450 East: Lanham
76 m · 8 sec
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13
Turn left onto Annapolis Road
2014 ft · 44 sec · Annapolis Road
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14
Turn straight
1318 ft · 37 sec
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15
Keep slight left
40 m · 5 sec
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16
Keep slight right
52 m · 8 sec
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17
Continue on Cipriano Road
1402 ft · 44 sec · Cipriano Road
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18
Turn left onto Spring Avenue
1282 ft · 56 sec · Spring Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Lanham.
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.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
18 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Lanham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Lanham?
The road trip is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
West Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14 miles from Columbia and 14 miles from Lanham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.05 one way or $8.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Lanham.
Stop Ideas Near West Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Rockville City Hall
D C Government
City of Bowie
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Laurel.
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lanham. Straight-line distance: 18.81 mi (30.27 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lanham
Lanham is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.9687500, -76.8634000 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lanham (-76.8634, 38.96875)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.05 | $8.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.55 | $9.11 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.90 | $9.81 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
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 · Jun 09, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.