How far is Forest Heights, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Forest Heights, MD to Columbia, MD is about 46 miles (74 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Heights and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Heights and Columbia.
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1
Start on Arapahoe Drive
30 m · 5 sec · Arapahoe Drive
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2
Turn left
97 m · 12 sec
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3
Turn straight onto Indian Head Highway
1.2 km · 2 min · Indian Head Highway
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4
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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5
Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS
639 ft · 18 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
870 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway
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9
Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore
2038 ft · 25 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
20.8 mi · 29 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1622 ft · 40 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Heights and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
20.8 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Forest Heights 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 Forest Heights to Columbia?
The road trip is about 46 miles (74 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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 20.2 miles from Forest Heights and 25.8 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 4:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.62 one way or $13.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Forest Heights and Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near South Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
The John Wilson Building
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Laurel.
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Heights and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 30.96 mi (49.83 km).
#1 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.62 | $13.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.45 | $14.90 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.03 | $16.05 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.69 | $19.38 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.