How far is Gaithersburg, MD from California, MD?
The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to California, MD is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.2 miles (111.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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 02h 03m.
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.
Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gaithersburg and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and California.
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1
Start on the route
26 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto North Frederick Avenue
77 m · 12 sec · North Frederick Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
1664 ft · 50 sec · Chestnut Street
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4
Turn right onto West Diamond Avenue
2663 ft · 1 min · West Diamond Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 270 South: Washington
1531 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
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7
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 9 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.8 mi · 4 min
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9
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
25.7 mi · 34 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
1256 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn right onto Forestville Road
130 m · 12 sec · Forestville Road
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12
Turn slight right onto MD 337 South
2.2 mi · 5 min
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13
Turn left onto MD 5 South: Waldorf
2410 ft · 40 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue
8.1 mi · 10 min · Branch Avenue
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15
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Crain Highway
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16
Take the exit slight left toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
1536 ft · 39 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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18
Turn left onto Leonardtown Road
10.7 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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19
Continue on Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
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20
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
1065 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shady Mile Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gaithersburg and California.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Capital Beltway
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
25.7 mi · 00h 34m
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 Gaithersburg and Sunny near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to California?
The road trip is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Camp Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.3 miles from Gaithersburg and 43.3 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.2 miles (111.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 2:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.50 one way or $25.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gaithersburg and Sunny near California.
Stop Ideas Near Camp Springs
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 Camp Springs.
Washington Union Station
Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and California. Straight-line distance: 69.23 mi (111.41 km).
#1 Gaithersburg
The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 67,741 |
| Coordinates | 39.1434400, -77.2013700 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.50745, 38.3004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 139 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $12.50 | $25.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $14.07 | $28.15 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $15.16 | $30.32 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $18.30 | $36.60 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.