How far is Frederick, MD from Potomac Heights, MD?

The driving distance from Frederick, MD to Potomac Heights, MD is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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
79.79 mi
01h 50m
Flight
57.51 mi
92.56 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Frederick.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
57.51 mi
Kilometers
92.56 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.79 mi
Kilometers
128.41 km
Drive Time
01h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Potomac Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 5:08 AM EDT
Return by in Frederick
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Frederick
2026-04-23T03:18
Arrive Potomac Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 5:08 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Frederick
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 Frederick
39.9 mi
00h 55m
To Potomac Heights
39.9 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Frederick and Potomac Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Frederick and Potomac Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on East Patrick Street

    37 m · 8 sec · East Patrick Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Market Street

    133 m · 19 sec · North Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Church Street

    1577 ft · 48 sec · East Church Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North East Street

    1 km · 2 min · North East Street

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street

    31 m · 2 sec · East Street

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto East Street

    742 ft · 15 sec · East Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Buckeystown Pike

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward I 270 South

    1247 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway

    21.6 mi · 27 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    6.6 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virginia

    2 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    18.5 mi · 23 min · Capital Beltway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 210 South: Indian Head

    783 ft · 19 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on MD 210 South: Indian Head

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway

    9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Indian Head Highway

    7.6 mi · 12 min · Indian Head Highway

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Glymont Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Glymont Road

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenwood Avenue

    33 m · 5 sec · Greenwood Avenue

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Greenwood Avenue

    101 m · 15 sec · Greenwood Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Greenwood Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Frederick and Potomac Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
28.2 mi · 35%
Capital Beltway
22.6 mi · 28%
Indian Head Highway
17.2 mi · 22%
Capital Beltway (Local)
4.26 mi · 5%
I 270 Spur
2.01 mi · 3%
Buckeystown Pike
1.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Eisenhower Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway

21.6 mi · 00h 27m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.3 mi
57.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cabin John
00h 55m from Frederick
Leave By
2:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Frederick and Sunny near Potomac Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Frederick to Potomac Heights?

The road trip is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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 39.9 miles from Frederick and 39.9 miles from Potomac Heights.

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

The direct path is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 2:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.52 one way or $23.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Frederick and Sunny near Potomac Heights.

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 11.2 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 11 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 14.1 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
District of Columbia Court
Nearby stop 10.7 mi away

District of Columbia Court

Washington , DC
430 E St NW #115, Washington, DC 20001
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City courthouse,Federal courthouse

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 Frederick and Potomac Heights. Straight-line distance: 57.51 mi (92.56 km).

Frederick

#1 Frederick

The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.

Population73,308
Coordinates39.4142700, -77.4105400
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Potomac Heights

#2 Potomac Heights

Census designated place

Population1,117
Coordinates38.6087300, -77.1405300
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Start: Frederick (-77.41054, 39.41427)
End: Potomac Heights (-77.14053, 38.60873)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 128 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.82 gal
10.66 L · about $11.52
Round trip
$23.05
5.64 gal · 21.32 L
Estimated CO2
25.1 kg one way
Round trip: 50.1 kg / 110 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $11.52 $23.05
Mid-grade $4.60 $12.97 $25.94
Premium $4.95 $13.97 $27.94
Diesel $5.98 $16.86 $33.73

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 Frederick and Potomac Heights. The current time is 03:18:05.

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.