How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Rising Sun, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Rising Sun, MD is about 49 miles (78.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 22m 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
49.05 mi
01h 11m
Flight
36.89 mi
59.37 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
36.89 mi
Kilometers
59.37 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.05 mi
Kilometers
78.94 km
Drive Time
01h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rising Sun
Sat, May 30, 11:40 AM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Sat, May 30, 12:51 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-05-30T10:28
Arrive Rising Sun
Sat, May 30, 11:40 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:08 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
Frederick
MD

The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.

From Gaithersburg
24.5 mi
00h 35m
To Rising Sun
24.5 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph N
Destination
70°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and Rising Sun.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    26 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Frederick Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Frederick Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Quince Orchard Road

    1131 ft · 28 sec · Quince Orchard Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 270 North

    1199 ft · 29 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    20.2 mi · 25 min

  6. 6

    Continue on Frederick Freeway

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Frederick Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 26 East: Libertytown, Walkersville

    2.2 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Woodsboro Pike

    12.4 mi · 18 min · Woodsboro Pike

  9. 9

    Continue on Francis Scott Key Highway

    6.1 mi · 11 min · Francis Scott Key Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Frederick Street

    1029 ft · 37 sec · Frederick Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Baltimore Street

    2384 ft · 1 min · West Baltimore Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Taneytown Pike

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Taneytown Pike

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Baptist Road

    3076 ft · 1 min · Baptist Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Baptist Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 270 North
20.4 mi · 42%
Woodsboro Pike
12.4 mi · 25%
Francis Scott Key Highway
6.08 mi · 12%
Frederick Freeway
4.53 mi · 9%
MD 26 East
2.16 mi · 4%
Taneytown Pike
1.17 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 270 North

Merge slight left

20.2 mi · 00h 25m

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 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.1 mi
36.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Frederick
00h 35m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
4:08 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gaithersburg and Sunny near Rising Sun.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to Rising Sun?

The road trip is about 49 miles (78.9 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?

Frederick is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.5 miles from Gaithersburg and 24.5 miles from Rising Sun.

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

The direct path is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 4:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.07 one way or $14.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gaithersburg and Sunny near Rising Sun.

Stop Ideas Near Frederick

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Frederick, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Frederick.

RAIL

Frederick, MD

1 mi away
100 South East Street
BUS

Frederick Airport, MD

2 mi away
1341 Hughes Ford Road
RAIL

Harpers Ferry

29 mi away
Potomac St. & Shenandoah St.
BUS

Hagerstown, MD

37 mi away
123 West Franklin Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Rising Sun. Straight-line distance: 36.89 mi (59.37 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Rising Sun

#2 Rising Sun

Town of the United States

Population2,784
Coordinates39.6773200, -77.2038700
Altitude157
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: Rising Sun (-77.20387, 39.67732)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 79 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.73 gal
6.55 L · about $7.07
Round trip
$14.14
3.46 gal · 13.1 L
Estimated CO2
15.4 kg one way
Round trip: 30.7 kg / 68 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.07 $14.14
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.96 $15.91
Premium $4.95 $8.57 $17.14
Diesel $5.98 $10.35 $20.69

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and Rising Sun. The current time is 10:28:33.

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.