How far is Forest Heights, MD from Catonsville, MD?

The driving distance from Forest Heights, MD to Catonsville, MD is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 02m 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
39.72 mi
01h 01m
Flight
35 mi
56.33 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forest Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35 mi
Kilometers
56.33 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.72 mi
Kilometers
63.92 km
Drive Time
01h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Catonsville
Sun, Apr 19, 10:10 AM EDT
Return by in Forest Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 11:11 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forest Heights
2026-04-19T09:09
Arrive Catonsville
Sun, Apr 19, 10:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forest Heights
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
South Laurel
MD

Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From Forest Heights
19.9 mi
00h 30m
To Catonsville
19.8 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph NW
Destination
62°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Heights and Catonsville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest Heights and Catonsville.

  1. 1

    Start on Arapahoe Drive

    30 m · 5 sec · Arapahoe Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left

    97 m · 12 sec

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Indian Head Highway

    1.2 km · 2 min · Indian Head Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on South Capitol Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS

    639 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North

    870 ft · 25 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore

    2038 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

    23.7 mi · 33 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 195 West: Catonsville

    1549 ft · 38 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Metropolitan Boulevard

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Metropolitan Boulevard

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 166: Catonsville, Community College of Baltimore County

    1.1 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Bloomsbury Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Bloomsbury Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Frederick Road

    47 m · 7 sec · Frederick Road

  17. 17

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Heights and Catonsville.

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
3 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
23.7 mi · 60%
Anacostia Freeway
4.9 mi · 12%
Metropolitan Boulevard
3.75 mi · 9%
Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.3 mi · 6%
South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3%
MD 166
1.11 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Baltimore-Washington Parkway

Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

23.7 mi · 00h 33m

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 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.7 mi
35 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Laurel
00h 30m from Forest Heights
Leave By
4:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Forest Heights and Rain Showers near Catonsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Forest Heights to Catonsville?

The road trip is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?

South Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from Forest Heights and 19.8 miles from Catonsville.

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

The direct path is about 35 miles (56.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 4:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.72 one way or $11.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Forest Heights and Rain Showers near Catonsville.

Stop Ideas Near South Laurel

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 South Laurel and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 13.8 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 12.7 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
The John Wilson Building
Meeting point 14.4 mi away

The John Wilson Building

Washington , DC
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rating 4.6/5 21 reviews City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 6 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 South Laurel.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

13 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

19 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Washington Union Station

23 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Rockville station

26 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forest Heights and Catonsville. Straight-line distance: 35 mi (56.33 km).

Forest Heights

#1 Forest Heights

Town in Maryland, United States

Population2,558
Coordinates38.8095600, -76.9980300
Altitude48
CountryUnited States
Catonsville

#2 Catonsville

A city in Baltimore County, Maryland.

Population41,567
Coordinates39.2720500, -76.7319200
Altitude146
CountryUnited States
Start: Forest Heights (-76.99803, 38.80956)
End: Catonsville (-76.73192, 39.27205)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.4 gal
5.31 L · about $5.72
Round trip
$11.44
2.8 gal · 10.62 L
Estimated CO2
12.4 kg one way
Round trip: 24.9 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.72 $11.44
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.44 $12.88
Premium $4.95 $6.94 $13.87
Diesel $5.98 $8.37 $16.74

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 Forest Heights and Catonsville. The current time is 09:09:22.

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.