How far is Dunkirk Town Center, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Dunkirk Town Center, MD to Columbia, MD is about 49.8 miles (80.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.2 miles (59.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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
49.79 mi
01h 00m
Flight
37.22 mi
59.9 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dunkirk Town Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.22 mi
Kilometers
59.9 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.79 mi
Kilometers
80.13 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 5:07 PM EDT
Return by in Dunkirk Town Center
Sun, Apr 19, 6:07 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dunkirk Town Center
2026-04-19T16:07
Arrive Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 5:07 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dunkirk Town Center
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
Crofton
MD

Census place in Maryland, USA

From Dunkirk Town Center
24.9 mi
00h 30m
To Columbia
24.9 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W
Destination
61°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Dunkirk Town Center and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dunkirk Town Center and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    142 m · 40 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    35 m · 12 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right

    73 m · 17 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Southern Maryland Boulevard

    5 mi · 7 min · Southern Maryland Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Stephanie Roper Highway

    4 mi · 5 min · Stephanie Roper Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 301 North: Baltimore

    1781 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Crain Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Crain Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on South East Crain Highway

    10.8 mi · 16 min · South East Crain Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Robert Crain Highway

    7.1 mi · 11 min · Robert Crain Highway

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.5 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

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

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

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

    1.3 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

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

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington

    3071 ft · 48 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike

  16. 16

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

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dunkirk Town Center and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
5 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 26%
Robert Crain Highway
12.7 mi · 25%
South East Crain Highway
10.8 mi · 22%
Southern Maryland Boulevard
5.01 mi · 10%
Stephanie Roper Highway
4 mi · 8%
Crain Highway
1.32 mi · 3%
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 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 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.6 mi
37.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crofton
00h 30m from Dunkirk Town Center
Leave By
4:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Dunkirk Town Center and Rain Showers near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dunkirk Town Center to Columbia?

The road trip is about 49.8 miles (80.1 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?

Crofton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Dunkirk Town Center and 24.9 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 37.2 miles (59.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 4:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.19 one way or $14.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Dunkirk Town Center and Rain Showers near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Crofton

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 Crofton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 5.3 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Riverdale Park Town Hall
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

Riverdale Park Town Hall

Riverdale , MD
5008 Queensbury Rd, Riverdale, MD 20737
Rating 3.8/5 5 reviews City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 13.7 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 Crofton.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

16 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

21 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Washington Union Station

30 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

35 mi away
1515 North Charles Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dunkirk Town Center and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 37.22 mi (59.9 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Dunkirk Town Center

City in United States of America

Population2,520
Coordinates38.7203900, -76.6585700
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: (-76.658921, 38.720476)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.76 gal
6.65 L · about $7.19
Round trip
$14.38
3.52 gal · 13.3 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.3 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.19 $14.38
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.09 $16.19
Premium $4.95 $8.72 $17.44
Diesel $5.98 $10.52 $21.05

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Dunkirk Town Center and Columbia. The current time is 16:07:01.

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.