How far is Gaithersburg, MD from West Laurel, MD?

The driving distance from Gaithersburg, MD to West Laurel, MD is about 22 miles (35.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.4 miles (26.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
22 mi
00h 34m
Flight
16.43 mi
26.44 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gaithersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.43 mi
Kilometers
26.44 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
22 mi
Kilometers
35.41 km
Drive Time
00h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Laurel
Sun, Apr 19, 7:25 AM EDT
Return by in Gaithersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 8:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gaithersburg
2026-04-19T06:50
Arrive West Laurel
Sun, Apr 19, 7:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:35 AM to 7:35 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Gaithersburg
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Aspen Hill
MD

Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From Gaithersburg
11 mi
00h 17m
To West Laurel
11 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaithersburg and West Laurel.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    26 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Frederick Avenue

    993 ft · 17 sec · North Frederick Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on South Frederick Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Frederick Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Frederick Road

    1906 ft · 43 sec · Frederick Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Shady Grove Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Shady Grove Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto MD 200 Toll East

    2888 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

    12.8 mi · 16 min · Intercounty Connector

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia

    1170 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North: Columbia

    2435 ft · 59 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Columbia Pike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 198: Burtonsville, Laurel

    1112 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Sandy Spring Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Sandy Spring Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Bond Mill Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Bond Mill Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Bounds Avenue

    108 m · 17 sec · Bounds Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Sandy Street

    1591 ft · 1 min · Sandy Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sandy Street

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
72.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Intercounty Connector
12.8 mi · 58%
Columbia Pike
2.14 mi · 10%
Sandy Spring Road
1.51 mi · 7%
South Frederick Avenue
1.37 mi · 6%
Shady Grove Road
1.13 mi · 5%
Bond Mill Road
0.67 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Intercounty Connector

Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

12.8 mi · 00h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 34m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
16.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aspen Hill
00h 17m from Gaithersburg
Leave By
7:20 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near West Laurel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gaithersburg to West Laurel?

The road trip is about 22 miles (35.4 km) and usually takes 00h 34m 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?

Aspen Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11 miles from Gaithersburg and 11 miles from West Laurel.

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

The direct path is about 16.4 miles (26.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.19 one way or $6.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Gaithersburg and Rain Showers near West Laurel.

Stop Ideas Near Aspen Hill

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 Aspen Hill and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 14.8 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 13.5 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
The John Wilson Building
Meeting point 14.3 mi away

The John Wilson Building

Washington , DC
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rating 4.6/5 21 reviews City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 9.8 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 Aspen Hill.

RAIL

Rockville station

6 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

21 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

23 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Union Station

30 mi away
110 Callahan Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gaithersburg and West Laurel. Straight-line distance: 16.43 mi (26.44 km).

Gaithersburg

#1 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
West Laurel

#2 West Laurel

Census designated place

Population4,230
Coordinates39.1012200, -76.8997000
Altitude107
CountryUnited States
Start: Gaithersburg (-77.20137, 39.14344)
End: West Laurel (-76.8997, 39.10122)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 35 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.78 gal
2.94 L · about $3.19
Round trip
$6.37
1.56 gal · 5.88 L
Estimated CO2
6.9 kg one way
Round trip: 13.9 kg / 31 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.19 $6.37
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.59 $7.17
Premium $4.95 $3.86 $7.73
Diesel $5.98 $4.66 $9.33

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

There is no time difference between Gaithersburg and West Laurel. The current time is 06:50:56.

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.