How far is Fort Washington, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Fort Washington, MD to Columbia, MD is about 54.7 miles (88 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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 01h 03m.
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.
City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Washington and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington and Columbia.
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1
Start on Warburton Drive
1619 ft · 1 min · Warburton Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Fort Washington Road
1544 ft · 54 sec · Fort Washington Road
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3
Turn right onto Old Fort Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Fort Road
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4
Turn left onto Indian Head Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Turn right onto Palmer Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road
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6
Continue on Tucker Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Tucker Road
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7
Continue on Allentown Road
5.6 mi · 10 min · Allentown Road
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
1130 ft · 28 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
16.1 mi · 22 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I-95 North: Baltimore
16.3 mi · 19 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1649 ft · 47 sec
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12
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Washington and Columbia.
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.
I-95 North
Keep slight right to continue on I-95 North: Baltimore
16.3 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Fort Washington and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Washington to Columbia?
The road trip is about 54.7 miles (88 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Greenbelt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.8 miles from Fort Washington and 27.8 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 4:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.18 one way or $16.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Fort Washington and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Greenbelt
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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greenbelt.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
BWI Rail Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Washington and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 38.13 mi (61.36 km).
#1 Fort Washington
Unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 24,183 |
| Coordinates | 38.7073400, -77.0230300 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $8.18 | $16.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $9.35 | $18.69 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $9.93 | $19.86 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $12.28 | $24.56 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026