How far is Gaithersburg, MD from Waldorf, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to Waldorf, MD is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38.5 miles (62 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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
55.68 mi
01h 19m
Flight
38.53 mi
62 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
38.53 mi
Kilometers
62 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.68 mi
Kilometers
89.61 km
Drive Time
01h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waldorf
Thu, Apr 23, 1:55 AM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Thu, Apr 23, 3:15 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-04-23T00:36
Arrive Waldorf
Thu, Apr 23, 1:55 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:52 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
Brookmont
MD

Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From Gaithersburg
27.8 mi
00h 39m
To Waldorf
27.8 mi
00h 39m

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
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 270 Spur: Washington, Northern Virginia

    2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    18.5 mi · 23 min · Capital Beltway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 210 South: Indian Head

    783 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on MD 210 South: Indian Head

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway

    9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Berry Road

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Berry Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Middletown Road

    1396 ft · 34 sec · Middletown Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto McDaniel Road

    1.9 mi · 4 min · McDaniel Road

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Smallwood Drive West

    748 ft · 28 sec · Smallwood Drive West

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Lancaster Circle

    1605 ft · 1 min · Lancaster Circle

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lancaster Circle

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
22.6 mi · 41%
Indian Head Highway
9.59 mi · 17%
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
7.96 mi · 14%
Capital Beltway (Local)
4.26 mi · 8%
Berry Road
3.86 mi · 7%
I 270 Spur
2.01 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

18.5 mi · 00h 23m

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 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.2 mi
38.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brookmont
00h 39m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
3:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gaithersburg and Sunny near Waldorf.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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 27.8 miles from Gaithersburg and 27.8 miles from Waldorf.

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

The direct path is about 38.5 miles (62 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 3:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.05 one way or $16.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Brookmont

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 Brookmont and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 12.2 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 13 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 12.6 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
District of Columbia Court
Nearby stop 12 mi away

District of Columbia Court

Washington , DC
430 E St NW #115, Washington, DC 20001
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City courthouse,Federal courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Washington Union Station

11 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Rockville station

16 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Union Station

16 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

New Carrollton station

22 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and Waldorf. Straight-line distance: 38.53 mi (62 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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

#2 Waldorf

Census designated place

Population67,752
Coordinates38.6245600, -76.9391400
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: Waldorf (-76.93914, 38.62456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.97 gal
7.44 L · about $8.05
Round trip
$16.10
3.94 gal · 14.88 L
Estimated CO2
17.5 kg one way
Round trip: 35 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $8.05 $16.10
Mid-grade $4.60 $9.06 $18.12
Premium $4.95 $9.76 $19.52
Diesel $5.98 $11.78 $23.56

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 Waldorf. The current time is 00:36:50.

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.