How far is Fort Washington, MD from Gaithersburg, MD?
The driving distance from Fort Washington, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is about 48.3 miles (77.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Washington and Gaithersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington and Gaithersburg.
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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
5.7 mi · 8 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, Baltimore
1177 ft · 29 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Washington, Richmond
1115 ft · 27 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond
1.1 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Thru)
8 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway (Thru)
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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10
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
16 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 270: Rockville, Frederick
3.1 mi · 4 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North
7.3 mi · 10 min
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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 Fort Washington 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.
Sunny leaving Fort Washington and Sunny near Gaithersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Washington to Gaithersburg?
The road trip is about 48.3 miles (77.8 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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 23.8 miles from Fort Washington and 24.5 miles from Gaithersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 4:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.95 one way or $13.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Washington and Sunny 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 Fort Washington and Gaithersburg. Straight-line distance: 31.62 mi (50.89 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 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: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.95 | $13.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.82 | $15.64 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.17 | $20.33 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.