How far is Fort Washington, MD from Frederick, MD?

The driving distance from Fort Washington, MD to Frederick, MD is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 53.1 miles (85.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 37m 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
70.15 mi
01h 18m
Flight
53.08 mi
85.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Washington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
53.08 mi
Kilometers
85.43 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.15 mi
Kilometers
112.9 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Frederick
Thu, Apr 23, 4:42 AM EDT
Return by in Fort Washington
Thu, Apr 23, 6:01 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Washington
2026-04-23T03:23
Arrive Frederick
Thu, Apr 23, 4:42 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Washington
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
Cabin John
MD

Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From Fort Washington
34.7 mi
00h 39m
To Frederick
35.5 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Washington and Frederick.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington and Frederick.

  1. 1

    Start on Warburton Drive

    1619 ft · 1 min · Warburton Drive

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Fort Washington Road

    1544 ft · 54 sec · Fort Washington Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Old Fort Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Fort Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Indian Head Highway

    5.7 mi · 8 min · Indian Head Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, Baltimore

    1177 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Washington, Richmond

    1115 ft · 27 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond

    1.1 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Thru)

    8 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway (Thru)

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Continue on Capital Beltway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    16 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270: Rockville, Frederick

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North

    7 mi · 10 min

  14. 14

    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

  15. 15

    Merge slight right

    20.1 mi · 25 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown

    1678 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Buckeystown Pike

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike

  18. 18

    Continue on Buckeystown Pike

    1354 ft · 31 sec · Buckeystown Pike

  19. 19

    Continue on East Street

    773 ft · 15 sec · East Street

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street

    36 m · 2 sec · East Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto East Street

    1640 ft · 33 sec · East Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto East South Street

    610 ft · 24 sec · East South Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South Carroll Street

    1280 ft · 45 sec · South Carroll Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East Patrick Street

    812 ft · 25 sec · East Patrick Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Patrick Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Washington and Frederick.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
25 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MD 117
20.3 mi · 29%
Capital Beltway
19.1 mi · 27%
Capital Beltway (Thru)
7.98 mi · 11%
I 270 North
7.02 mi · 10%
Indian Head Highway
5.67 mi · 8%
I 270
3.09 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

MD 117

Merge slight right

20.1 mi · 00h 25m

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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
53.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cabin John
00h 39m from Fort Washington
Leave By
3:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Washington and Sunny near Frederick.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Washington to Frederick?

The road trip is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?

Cabin John is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.7 miles from Fort Washington and 35.5 miles from Frederick.

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

The direct path is about 53.1 miles (85.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 3:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.13 one way or $20.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Washington and Sunny near Frederick.

Stop Ideas Near Cabin John

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 Cabin John and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 10.4 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 9.7 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
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 14 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 12 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 Cabin John.

RAIL

Rockville station

12 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

16 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

21 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Burke Centre

23 mi away
10399 Premier Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Washington and Frederick. Straight-line distance: 53.08 mi (85.43 km).

Fort Washington

#1 Fort Washington

Unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population24,183
Coordinates38.7073400, -77.0230300
Altitude32
CountryUnited States
Frederick

#2 Frederick

The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.

Population73,308
Coordinates39.4142700, -77.4105400
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Start: Warburton Drive (-77.022819, 38.707437)
End: East Patrick Street (-77.410551, 39.414165)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.48 gal
9.37 L · about $10.13
Round trip
$20.27
4.96 gal · 18.74 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 44.1 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $10.13 $20.27
Mid-grade $4.60 $11.41 $22.81
Premium $4.95 $12.29 $24.57
Diesel $5.98 $14.83 $29.66

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Washington and Frederick. The current time is 03:23:47.

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.