How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Arbutus, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Arbutus, MD is about 39.8 miles (64 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
39.76 mi
00h 44m
Flight
27.92 mi
44.94 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gaithersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.92 mi
Kilometers
44.94 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.76 mi
Kilometers
63.99 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arbutus
Tue, Apr 21, 5:13 PM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Tue, Apr 21, 5:57 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-04-21T16:28
Arrive Arbutus
Tue, Apr 21, 5:13 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Gaithersburg
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Calverton
MD

Unincorporated area in Montgomery and Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

From Gaithersburg
19 mi
00h 22m
To Arbutus
20.8 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Tuesday

Widespread Frost then Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 21 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph S
Destination
59°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 21 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gaithersburg and Arbutus.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and Arbutus.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    26 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Frederick Avenue

    993 ft · 17 sec · North Frederick Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on South Frederick Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Frederick Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Frederick Road

    1906 ft · 43 sec · Frederick Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Shady Grove Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Shady Grove Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto MD 200 Toll East

    2888 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

    15.9 mi · 20 min · Intercounty Connector

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville

    2257 ft · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Konterra Drive

    2986 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville

    1.5 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 198 West: Burtonsville

    2970 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    12.5 mi · 14 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville

    1708 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 166: Catonsville

    2203 ft · 54 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight right onto Metropolitan Boulevard

    2089 ft · 25 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward UMBC Campus

    1922 ft · 36 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto UMBC Boulevard

    117 m · 13 sec · UMBC Boulevard

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward UMBC Boulevard

    58 m · 5 sec · UMBC Boulevard

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto UMBC Boulevard

    1012 ft · 35 sec · UMBC Boulevard

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hilltop Circle

    36 m · 3 sec · Hilltop Circle

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Hilltop Circle

    2757 ft · 2 min · Hilltop Circle

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Poplar Avenue

    1286 ft · 39 sec · Poplar Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Shelbourne Road

    994 ft · 34 sec · Shelbourne Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Shelbourne Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gaithersburg and Arbutus.

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
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
62.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Intercounty Connector
15.9 mi · 40%
MD 198 West
13.8 mi · 35%
MD 198
1.51 mi · 4%
South Frederick Avenue
1.37 mi · 3%
Shady Grove Road
1.13 mi · 3%
MD 200 Toll East
0.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Intercounty Connector

Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

15.9 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
27.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Calverton
00h 22m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
7:02 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Sunny leaving Gaithersburg and Sunny near Arbutus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to Arbutus?

The road trip is about 39.8 miles (64 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Calverton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Gaithersburg and 20.8 miles from Arbutus.

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

The direct path is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.72 one way or $11.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Sunny around Gaithersburg and Sunny near Arbutus.

Stop Ideas Near Calverton

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 Calverton and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 13.8 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 12.5 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
The John Wilson Building
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

The John Wilson Building

Washington , DC
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rating 4.6/5 21 reviews City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 5.9 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 Calverton.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

13 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

18 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

19 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

26 mi away
7 Amtrak Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Arbutus. Straight-line distance: 27.92 mi (44.94 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Arbutus

#2 Arbutus

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

Population20,483
Coordinates39.2545500, -76.6999700
Altitude46
CountryUnited States
Start: (-77.201269, 39.143361)
End: Shelbourne Road (-76.700117, 39.254645)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.4 gal
5.31 L · about $5.72
Round trip
$11.44
2.8 gal · 10.62 L
Estimated CO2
12.4 kg one way
Round trip: 24.9 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.72 $11.44
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.44 $12.88
Premium $4.95 $6.94 $13.87
Diesel $5.98 $8.37 $16.74

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 21, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and Arbutus. The current time is 16:28:56.

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.