How far is Forest Heights, MD from Gaithersburg, MD?
The driving distance from Forest Heights, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Heights and Gaithersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Heights and Gaithersburg.
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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
1751 ft · 53 sec · Indian Head Highway
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4
Continue on Indian Head Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Alexandria, Richmond
1487 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
8.6 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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8
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
16 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 270: Rockville, Frederick
3.1 mi · 4 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
1052 ft · 16 sec
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13
Merge slight right
526 ft · 8 sec
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 South: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Quince Orchard Road
1387 ft · 42 sec
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15
Turn left onto West Diamond Avenue
2537 ft · 51 sec · West Diamond Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Meem Avenue
616 ft · 29 sec · Meem Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
1033 ft · 35 sec · Chestnut Street
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18
Turn right onto North Frederick Avenue
77 m · 7 sec · North Frederick Avenue
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19
Turn right
26 m · 6 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Heights and Gaithersburg.
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.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
16 mi · 00h 19m
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 Likely near Gaithersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Heights to Gaithersburg?
The road trip is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Brookmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Forest Heights and 20.9 miles from Gaithersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.97 one way or $11.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Forest Heights and Rain Showers Likely near Gaithersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Brookmont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brookmont.
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
New Carrollton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Heights and Gaithersburg. Straight-line distance: 25.53 mi (41.08 km).
#1 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gaithersburg
The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 67,741 |
| Coordinates | 39.1434400, -77.2013700 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.201269, 39.143361)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 66 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.97 | $11.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.71 | $13.43 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.23 | $14.47 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.73 | $17.46 |
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.