How far is Columbia, MD from Rising Sun, MD?

The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Rising Sun, MD is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m 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
48.56 mi
01h 11m
Flight
35.91 mi
57.79 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
35.91 mi
Kilometers
57.79 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.56 mi
Kilometers
78.15 km
Drive Time
01h 11m

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 01h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rising Sun
Thu, Apr 23, 6:50 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 8:01 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-23T05:38
Arrive Rising Sun
Thu, Apr 23, 6:50 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:06 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Eldersburg
MD

Town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States

From Columbia
24.3 mi
00h 35m
To Rising Sun
24.3 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Rising Sun.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Rising Sun.

  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

    Take the ramp straight toward US 29 North: Baltimore

    1475 ft · 36 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Columbia Pike

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Frederick

    1677 ft · 41 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    10 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1579 ft · 19 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 97: Westminster, Cooksville, Glenwood, Olney

    2466 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 97 North: Westminster

    71 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Route 97 North

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Route 97 North

  12. 12

    Continue on Old Washington Road

    5.5 mi · 10 min · Old Washington Road

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Washington Road

    40 m · 2 sec · Washington Road

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Washington Road

    1322 ft · 23 sec · Washington Road

  15. 15

    Continue on New Washington Road

    9.5 mi · 13 min · New Washington Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on West Main Street

    2511 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on WMC Drive

    1576 ft · 39 sec · WMC Drive

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Taneytown Pike

    9 mi · 12 min · Taneytown Pike

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Taneytown Pike

    22 m · 2 sec · Taneytown Pike

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto Taneytown Pike

    72 m · 7 sec · Taneytown Pike

  22. 22

    Continue on East Baltimore Street

    1.8 mi · 5 min · East Baltimore Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Taneytown Pike

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Taneytown Pike

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Baptist Road

    3076 ft · 1 min · Baptist Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Baptist Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Rising Sun.

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
25 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
51.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 West
10.6 mi · 22%
Taneytown Pike
10.2 mi · 21%
New Washington Road
9.46 mi · 19%
Old Washington Road
5.48 mi · 11%
Columbia Pike
4.33 mi · 9%
East Baltimore Street
1.81 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 70 West

Merge slight left

10 mi · 00h 11m

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
01h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.7 mi
35.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Eldersburg
00h 35m from Columbia
Leave By
4:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Rising Sun.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Rising Sun?

The road trip is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?

Eldersburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from Columbia and 24.3 miles from Rising Sun.

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

The direct path is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 4:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Rising Sun.

Stop Ideas Near Eldersburg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Eldersburg, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

31 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

32 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
BUS

Frederick Airport, MD

37 mi away
1341 Hughes Ford Road
RAIL

Rockville station

39 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Rising Sun. Straight-line distance: 35.91 mi (57.79 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Rising Sun

#2 Rising Sun

Town of the United States

Population2,784
Coordinates39.6773200, -77.2038700
Altitude157
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-76.83942, 39.24038)
End: Rising Sun (-77.20387, 39.67732)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.49 L · about $6.99
Round trip
$13.97
3.42 gal · 12.98 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.99 $13.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.86 $15.73
Premium $4.95 $8.47 $16.94
Diesel $5.98 $10.23 $20.45

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

There is no time difference between Columbia and Rising Sun. The current time is 05:38:08.

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.