How far is Columbia, MD from Towson, MD?
The driving distance from Columbia, MD to Towson, MD is about 24.2 miles (39 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m 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 35m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Towson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Towson.
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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
3.9 mi · 5 min · Columbia Pike
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Baltimore
1.1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
1056 ft · 16 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 695 North: New York, Towson
1.2 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
12.5 mi · 17 min · Baltimore Beltway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 45 South: York Road, Towson
1245 ft · 50 sec
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12
Turn left onto West Road
580 ft · 26 sec · West Road
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13
Turn right onto York Road
1.4 km · 2 min · York Road
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Towson Roundabout
29 m · 2 sec · York Road
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15
Exit the rotary onto York Road
152 m · 16 sec · York Road
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16
Continue on York Road
156 m · 22 sec · York Road
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17
Turn right onto Shealy Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Shealy Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shealy Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Towson.
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.
Baltimore Beltway
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
12.5 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Towson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Towson?
The road trip is about 24.2 miles (39 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?
Lochearn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from Columbia and 12.1 miles from Towson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.51 one way or $7.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Columbia and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Towson.
Stop Ideas Near Lochearn
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 Lochearn.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Towson. Straight-line distance: 16.88 mi (27.17 km).
#1 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Towson
Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| Population | 55,197 |
| Coordinates | 39.4015000, -76.6019100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Towson (-76.60191, 39.4015)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.51 | $7.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.96 | $7.91 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.26 | $8.52 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.14 | $10.29 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.