How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Riva, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Riva, MD is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36 miles (57.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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
45.32 mi
01h 05m
Flight
35.96 mi
57.88 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
35.96 mi
Kilometers
57.88 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.32 mi
Kilometers
72.93 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riva
Sat, Nov 7, 11:33 AM EST
Return by in Gaithersburg
Sat, Nov 7, 12:38 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-11-07T10:27
Arrive Riva
Sat, Nov 7, 11:33 AM EST
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM EST

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

Leave by
4:18 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gaithersburg
9:30 PM EST
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
Beltsville
MD

Census designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

From Gaithersburg
22.6 mi
00h 32m
To Riva
22.7 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
7 to 15 mph NW
Destination
59°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
9 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    16.3 mi · 21 min · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    1 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · John Hanson Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 424: Davidsonville, Crofton

    2824 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 424 South: Davidsonville Road, Davidsonville

    1273 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Davidsonville Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Davidsonville Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Governor Bridge Road

    2.7 mi · 7 min · Governor Bridge Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Riva Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Riva Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Tudor Hall Road

    35 m · 5 sec · Tudor Hall Road

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tudor Hall Road

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
16.3 mi · 36%
John Hanson Highway
10.4 mi · 23%
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
7.96 mi · 18%
I 270 South
3.05 mi · 7%
Governor Bridge Road
2.75 mi · 6%
Riva Road
1.12 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

16.3 mi · 00h 21m

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 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.3 mi
36 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Beltsville
00h 32m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
4:18 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gaithersburg and Sunny near Riva.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?

Beltsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.6 miles from Gaithersburg and 22.7 miles from Riva.

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

The direct path is about 36 miles (57.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:18 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.33 one way or $12.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gaithersburg and Sunny near Riva.

Stop Ideas Near Beltsville

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 Beltsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 10.1 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 8.9 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 12.5 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 2.1 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 Beltsville.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

10 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

18 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Rockville station

21 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

25 mi away
7 Amtrak Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Riva. Straight-line distance: 35.96 mi (57.88 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 Riva

Riva is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.9520600, -76.5780200
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: Riva (-76.57802, 38.95206)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.6 gal
6.05 L · about $6.33
Round trip
$12.66
3.2 gal · 12.1 L
Estimated CO2
14.2 kg one way
Round trip: 28.4 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $6.33 $12.66
Mid-grade $4.57 $7.32 $14.63
Premium $4.89 $7.83 $15.66
Diesel $6.30 $10.08 $20.17

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and Riva. The current time is 10:27:27.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.