How far is Crofton, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Crofton, MD to Columbia, MD is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m 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
27.79 mi
00h 34m
Flight
18.39 mi
29.59 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Crofton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.39 mi
Kilometers
29.59 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
27.79 mi
Kilometers
44.73 km
Drive Time
00h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 12:06 AM EDT
Return by in Crofton
Thu, Apr 23, 12:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crofton
2026-04-22T23:31
Arrive Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 12:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Crofton
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Somerset
MD

Town in Maryland, United States

From Crofton
13.9 mi
00h 17m
To Columbia
13.9 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
72°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crofton and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Stratton Road

    1581 ft · 1 min · Stratton Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Spring Green Avenue

    1050 ft · 48 sec · Spring Green Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Crofton Parkway

    2862 ft · 2 min · Crofton Parkway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Crawford Boulevard

    1096 ft · 34 sec · Crawford Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Robert Crain Highway

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Robert Crain Highway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    5.5 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100: Ellicott City, Gibson Island

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 100 West: Ellicott City

    1.3 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

    12.9 mi · 18 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington

    3071 ft · 48 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 46%
Robert Crain Highway
11.1 mi · 40%
MD 100 West
0.8 mi · 3%
US 29 South
0.58 mi · 2%
Crofton Parkway
0.54 mi · 2%
Columbia Pike
0.47 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

12.9 mi · 00h 18m

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 34m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
18.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Somerset
00h 17m from Crofton
Leave By
7:22 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Crofton and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Crofton to Columbia?

The road trip is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km) and usually takes 00h 34m 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?

Somerset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.9 miles from Crofton and 13.9 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 $4.00 one way or $8.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Crofton and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Somerset

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 Somerset and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12.1 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 9.7 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 14.2 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

7 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

17 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

30 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
BUS

Kent Island, MD

39 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crofton and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 18.39 mi (29.59 km).

Crofton

#1 Crofton

Census place in Maryland, USA

Population27,348
Coordinates39.0017800, -76.6874700
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Stratton Road (-76.688081, 39.001623)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 45 km by road

SpeedTime
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.

One-way fuel
0.98 gal
3.71 L · about $4.00
Round trip
$8.01
1.96 gal · 7.42 L
Estimated CO2
8.7 kg one way
Round trip: 17.4 kg / 38 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.00 $8.01
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.51 $9.01
Premium $4.95 $4.85 $9.71
Diesel $5.98 $5.86 $11.72

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 Crofton and Columbia. The current time is 23:31:40.

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.