How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Arlington, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Arlington, MD is about 45.6 miles (73.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m 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
45.6 mi
01h 06m
Flight
31.14 mi
50.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gaithersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.14 mi
Kilometers
50.11 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.6 mi
Kilometers
73.38 km
Drive Time
01h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arlington
Wed, Apr 15, 11:37 AM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Wed, Apr 15, 12:44 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-04-15T10:30
Arrive Arlington
Wed, Apr 15, 11:37 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gaithersburg
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
North Laurel
MD

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

From Gaithersburg
22.8 mi
00h 33m
To Arlington
22.8 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW
Destination
89°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    12.8 mi · 16 min · Intercounty Connector

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia

    1170 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North: Columbia

    2435 ft · 59 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

    16.5 mi · 22 min · Columbia Pike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Baltimore

    1.1 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie

    1056 ft · 16 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 695 North: New York, Towson

    1.2 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Baltimore Beltway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 26: Liberty Road, Randallstown, Lochearn

    120 m · 10 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 26 East: Liberty Road, Lochearn

    1155 ft · 30 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Liberty Road

    2 mi · 5 min · Liberty Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto West Northern Parkway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · West Northern Parkway

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue

    130 m · 20 sec · Jonquil Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Rogers Avenue

    33 m · 6 sec · West Rogers Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Jonquil Avenue

    627 ft · 27 sec · Jonquil Avenue

  23. 23

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Lewiston Avenue

    667 ft · 23 sec · Lewiston Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cuthbert Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
52.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Columbia Pike
16.5 mi · 36%
Intercounty Connector
12.8 mi · 28%
I 70 East
4.41 mi · 10%
Baltimore Beltway
2.24 mi · 5%
Liberty Road
1.99 mi · 4%
West Northern Parkway
1.7 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Columbia Pike

Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

16.5 mi · 00h 22m

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 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
31.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Laurel
00h 33m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
4:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gaithersburg and Mostly Sunny near Arlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.6 miles (73.4 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?

North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.8 miles from Gaithersburg and 22.8 miles from Arlington.

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

The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 4:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.58 one way or $13.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gaithersburg and Mostly Sunny near Arlington.

Stop Ideas Near North Laurel

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 North Laurel and the surrounding midpoint area.
City of Rockville City Hall
Scenic stop 14.5 mi away

City of Rockville City Hall

Rockville , MD
111 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
Rating 4.5/5 4 reviews Park
City of Rockville
Meeting point 14.5 mi away

City of Rockville

Rockville , MD
111 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850
Rating 4.2/5 6 reviews Government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 11.2 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
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.7 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

16 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

21 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

25 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

29 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 31.14 mi (50.11 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Arlington

Arlington is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.3485700, -76.6832400
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: Arlington (-76.68324, 39.34857)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.61 gal
6.09 L · about $6.58
Round trip
$13.16
3.22 gal · 12.18 L
Estimated CO2
14.3 kg one way
Round trip: 28.6 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.58 $13.16
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.40 $14.81
Premium $4.95 $7.98 $15.95
Diesel $5.98 $9.63 $19.26

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and Arlington. The current time is 10:30:43.

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.