How far is Columbia, MD from University Park, MD?

The driving distance from Columbia, MD to University Park, MD is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
22.64 mi
00h 37m
Flight
19.45 mi
31.3 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.45 mi
Kilometers
31.3 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
22.64 mi
Kilometers
36.43 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in University Park
Thu, Apr 16, 8:46 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 16, 9:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-16T08:09
Arrive University Park
Thu, Apr 16, 8:46 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Burtonsville
MD

Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From Columbia
11.3 mi
00h 18m
To University Park
11.3 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SW
Destination
93°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and University Park.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and University Park.

  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

    565 ft · 26 sec · Clarksville Pike

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 29 South: Columbia, Town Center

    2112 ft · 51 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

    13.6 mi · 19 min · Columbia Pike

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward E. Randolph Road, Cherry Hill Road

    1281 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Cherry Hill Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Powder Mill Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Powder Mill Road

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Riggs Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Riggs Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Adelphi Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Adelphi Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Wells Parkway

    2133 ft · 1 min · Wells Parkway

  12. 12

    Continue on Wells Parkway East

    1760 ft · 1 min · Wells Parkway East

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Beechwood Road

    95 m · 16 sec · Beechwood Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Underwood Street

    1250 ft · 60 sec · Underwood Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Queens Chapel Road

    17 m · 2 sec · Queens Chapel Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Queens Chapel Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and University Park.

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
70.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Columbia Pike
13.6 mi · 60%
Adelphi Road
2.05 mi · 9%
Cherry Hill Road
1.92 mi · 8%
Riggs Road
1.56 mi · 7%
Powder Mill Road
1.46 mi · 6%
Wells Parkway
0.4 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Columbia Pike

Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

13.6 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.2 mi
19.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burtonsville
00h 18m from Columbia
Leave By
7:14 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Columbia and Partly Sunny near University Park.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to University Park?

The road trip is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?

Burtonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.3 miles from Columbia and 11.3 miles from University Park.

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

The direct path is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.2 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 7:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.27 one way or $6.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Columbia and Partly Sunny near University Park.

Stop Ideas Near Burtonsville

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Burtonsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Scenic stop 14.1 mi away

Griffith Park at City Hall

Gaithersburg , MD
29 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, United States
Rating 4.6/5 57 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 14 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
Gaithersburg City Hall
Meeting point 14.1 mi away

Gaithersburg City Hall

Gaithersburg , MD
31 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Rating 4.1/5 14 reviews City Hall,City clerk's office,City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 7.8 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Rockville station

19 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

New Carrollton station

19 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

22 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Washington Union Station

25 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and University Park. Straight-line distance: 19.45 mi (31.3 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
University Park

#2 University Park

Town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population2,628
Coordinates38.9703900, -76.9419200
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-76.83942, 39.24038)
End: University Park (-76.94192, 38.97039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 36 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.8 gal
3.02 L · about $3.27
Round trip
$6.54
1.6 gal · 6.04 L
Estimated CO2
7.1 kg one way
Round trip: 14.2 kg / 31 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.27 $6.54
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.68 $7.36
Premium $4.95 $3.96 $7.93
Diesel $5.98 $4.78 $9.57

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and University Park. The current time is 08:09:10.

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.