How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Smithsburg, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Smithsburg, MD is about 47 miles (75.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m 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
46.98 mi
00h 59m
Flight
40.52 mi
65.21 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
40.52 mi
Kilometers
65.21 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.98 mi
Kilometers
75.61 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Smithsburg
Thu, Apr 23, 5:26 AM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Thu, Apr 23, 6:26 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-04-23T04:27
Arrive Smithsburg
Thu, Apr 23, 5:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:32 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
23.5 mi
00h 29m
To Smithsburg
23.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore

    1986 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Hagerstown

    1899 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    18.4 mi · 20 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 66: Boonsboro, Smithsburg

    1281 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Mapleville Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Mapleville Road

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mapleville Road

    47 m · 3 sec · Mapleville Road

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Mapleville Road

    4.1 mi · 7 min · Mapleville Road

  13. 13

    Continue on West Water Street

    1 km · 1 min · West Water Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Water Street

Car Route Details

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

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 270 North
20.4 mi · 43%
I 70 West
18.8 mi · 40%
Mapleville Road
5.47 mi · 12%
North Frederick Avenue
0.86 mi · 2%
West Water Street
0.65 mi · 1%
I 70
0.38 mi · 1%
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
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.5 mi
40.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Frederick
00h 29m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
4:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gaithersburg and Sunny near Smithsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 47 miles (75.6 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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 23.5 miles from Gaithersburg and 23.5 miles from Smithsburg.

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

The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 4:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.78 one way or $13.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Smithsburg. Straight-line distance: 40.52 mi (65.21 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Smithsburg

#2 Smithsburg

Town of the United States

Population2,969
Coordinates39.6548200, -77.5727700
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: Smithsburg (-77.57277, 39.65482)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 76 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.66 gal
6.28 L · about $6.78
Round trip
$13.57
3.32 gal · 12.56 L
Estimated CO2
14.8 kg one way
Round trip: 29.5 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.78 $13.57
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.63 $15.27
Premium $4.95 $8.22 $16.45
Diesel $5.98 $9.93 $19.85

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and Smithsburg. The current time is 04:27:13.

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.