How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Cottage City, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Cottage City, MD is about 24.9 miles (40 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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
24.86 mi
00h 42m
Flight
19.64 mi
31.6 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gaithersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.64 mi
Kilometers
31.6 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
24.86 mi
Kilometers
40.01 km
Drive Time
00h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottage City
Sun, Apr 19, 10:27 AM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 11:10 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-04-19T09:44
Arrive Cottage City
Sun, Apr 19, 10:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:43 AM to 7:43 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:04 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
Chevy Chase View
MD

Town located in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From Gaithersburg
12.4 mi
00h 21m
To Cottage City
12.4 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 17 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and Cottage City.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    26 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Frederick Avenue

    77 m · 12 sec · North Frederick Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Chestnut Street

    1664 ft · 50 sec · Chestnut Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Diamond Avenue

    2663 ft · 1 min · West Diamond Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward I 270 South: Washington

    1531 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    6.6 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

    5.8 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 193 East: Langley Park

    1504 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto University Boulevard East

    2.6 mi · 6 min · University Boulevard East

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Riggs Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Riggs Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East-West Highway

    812 ft · 28 sec · East-West Highway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Ager Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Ager Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Hamilton Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Hamilton Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 38th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · 38th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 38th Avenue

    110 m · 12 sec · 38th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Parkwood Street

    1205 ft · 53 sec · Parkwood Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Parkwood Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
76.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
7.96 mi · 32%
Capital Beltway
5.77 mi · 23%
I 270 South
3.05 mi · 12%
University Boulevard East
2.57 mi · 10%
Ager Road
1.22 mi · 5%
38th Street
1.2 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Eisenhower Memorial Highway

Keep slight left

6.61 mi · 00h 09m

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 42m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.3 mi
19.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chevy Chase View
00h 21m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
7:04 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near Cottage City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to Cottage City?

The road trip is about 24.9 miles (40 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?

Chevy Chase View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.4 miles from Gaithersburg and 12.4 miles from Cottage City.

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

The direct path is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.60 one way or $7.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near Cottage City.

Stop Ideas Near Chevy Chase View

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 Chevy Chase View and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 9.7 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 13.4 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 8.8 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 Chevy Chase View.

RAIL

Rockville station

9 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

15 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

20 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Union Station

24 mi away
110 Callahan Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Cottage City. Straight-line distance: 19.64 mi (31.6 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Cottage City

#2 Cottage City

Town in Maryland, United States

Population1,355
Coordinates38.9381700, -76.9483100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: Cottage City (-76.94831, 38.93817)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 40 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.88 gal
3.32 L · about $3.60
Round trip
$7.19
1.76 gal · 6.64 L
Estimated CO2
7.8 kg one way
Round trip: 15.6 kg / 34 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.60 $7.19
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.05 $8.09
Premium $4.95 $4.36 $8.72
Diesel $5.98 $5.26 $10.52

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and Cottage City. The current time is 09:44:59.

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.