How far is Friendly, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Friendly, MD to Columbia, MD is about 48.3 miles (77.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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
48.34 mi
00h 57m
Flight
34.58 mi
55.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Friendly.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.58 mi
Kilometers
55.65 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.34 mi
Kilometers
77.79 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Fri, Apr 17, 4:25 AM EDT
Return by in Friendly
Fri, Apr 17, 5:22 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Friendly
2026-04-17T03:28
Arrive Columbia
Fri, Apr 17, 4:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Friendly
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
Beltsville
MD

Census designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

From Friendly
23.9 mi
00h 28m
To Columbia
24.4 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Overnight

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W
Destination
81°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Friendly and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Friendly and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Allentown Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Allentown Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Allentown Road

    5.6 mi · 10 min · Allentown Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park

    1130 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    16.1 mi · 22 min · Capital Beltway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I-95 North: Baltimore

    16.3 mi · 19 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City

    1649 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington

    3071 ft · 48 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Friendly and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
11 steps
0 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-95 North
16.3 mi · 34%
Capital Beltway
16.1 mi · 33%
Allentown Road
8.22 mi · 17%
MD 100 West
5.56 mi · 12%
US 29 South
0.58 mi · 1%
Columbia Pike
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.8 mi
34.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Beltsville
00h 28m from Friendly
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Friendly 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 Friendly to Columbia?

The road trip is about 48.3 miles (77.8 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Beltsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Friendly and 24.4 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 4:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Friendly and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Beltsville

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 Beltsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 9.9 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 8.6 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 12.4 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 2 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 Beltsville.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

10 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

18 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Rockville station

21 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

25 mi away
7 Amtrak Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Friendly and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 34.58 mi (55.65 km).

Friendly

#1 Friendly

Census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population9,250
Coordinates38.7517800, -76.9785900
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Old Fort Road (-76.978592, 38.751776)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
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.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.46 L · about $6.99
Round trip
$13.97
3.42 gal · 12.92 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.99 $13.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.86 $15.73
Premium $4.95 $8.47 $16.94
Diesel $5.98 $10.23 $20.45

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Friendly and Columbia. The current time is 03:28:02.

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.