How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Forest Heights, MD?
The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Forest Heights, MD is about 31.8 miles (51.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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 00h 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gaithersburg and Forest Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and Forest Heights.
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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 right to continue on I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virginia
2 mi · 3 min
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9
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Cabin John Parkway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Cabin John Parkway
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11
Continue on Clara Barton Parkway
3.3 mi · 7 min · Clara Barton Parkway
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12
Continue on Canal Road Northwest
3.1 mi · 6 min · Canal Road Northwest
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Whitehurst Freeway
1.1 km · 2 min · Whitehurst Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 66 West: E Street
2376 ft · 36 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward E Street
120 m · 10 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on E Street
1371 ft · 34 sec
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17
Continue on E Street Expressway
1773 ft · 24 sec · E Street Expressway
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18
Continue on E Street Northwest
1554 ft · 34 sec · E Street Northwest
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
1203 ft · 22 sec · 17th Street Northwest
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20
Continue on 17th Street Southwest
1609 ft · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest
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21
Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest
89 m · 10 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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22
Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest
1480 ft · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
1471 ft · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
768 ft · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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25
Take the ramp straight toward I 395 North
2465 ft · 52 sec
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26
Merge slight right onto Southwest Freeway
1105 ft · 24 sec · Southwest Freeway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Southeast Freeway
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28
Continue on Southeast Freeway
2683 ft · 56 sec · Southeast Freeway
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29
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Anacostia Freeway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward South Capitol Street, JBAB
1271 ft · 27 sec
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31
Continue straight
996 ft · 21 sec
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32
Turn straight onto South Capitol Street Southwest
1.6 km · 2 min · South Capitol Street Southwest
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33
Continue on South Capitol Street
1 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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34
Continue on Indian Head Highway
2268 ft · 1 min · Indian Head Highway
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35
Turn left onto Livingston Road
50 m · 9 sec · Livingston Road
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36
Turn right onto Arapahoe Drive
2120 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Drive
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Arapahoe Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gaithersburg and Forest Heights.
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.
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.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near Forest Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to Forest Heights?
The road trip is about 31.8 miles (51.1 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Brookmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.8 miles from Gaithersburg and 15.8 miles from Forest Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.58 one way or $9.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near Forest Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Brookmont
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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brookmont.
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
New Carrollton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Forest Heights. Straight-line distance: 25.53 mi (41.08 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 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Heights (-76.99803, 38.80956)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.58 | $9.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.15 | $10.30 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.55 | $11.10 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.70 | $13.40 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.