How far is Gaithersburg, MD from South Kensington, MD?
The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to South Kensington, MD is about 14.8 miles (23.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.8 miles (17.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
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 South Kensington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and South Kensington.
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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 left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.8 mi · 4 min
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9
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Chevy Chase, Kensington
842 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 North: Connecticut Avenue North, Kensington
655 ft · 20 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Connecticut Avenue
90 m · 5 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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13
Continue on Connecticut Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Connecticut Avenue
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14
Turn slight left
55 m · 8 sec
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15
Turn left onto Franklin Street
152 m · 16 sec · Franklin Street
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16
Turn right
45 m · 11 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gaithersburg and South Kensington.
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 short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near South Kensington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to South Kensington?
The road trip is about 14.8 miles (23.8 km) and usually takes 00h 22m 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?
Rockville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.4 miles from Gaithersburg and 7.4 miles from South Kensington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.8 miles (17.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.12 one way or $4.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near South Kensington.
Stop Ideas Near Rockville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
The John Wilson Building
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rockville.
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and South Kensington. Straight-line distance: 10.79 mi (17.36 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 South Kensington
Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States of America
| Population | 8,462 |
| Coordinates | 39.0190000, -77.0799800 |
| Altitude | 86 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Kensington (-77.07998, 39.019)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.12 | $4.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.39 | $4.78 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.58 | $5.15 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.11 | $6.22 |
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.