How far is Kensington, MD from Gaithersburg, MD?
The driving distance from Kensington, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is about 45.4 miles (73.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.6 miles (54 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kensington and Gaithersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington and Gaithersburg.
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1
Start on Banyon Avenue
123 m · 23 sec · Banyon Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
101 m · 17 sec · Brentwood Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Kensington Avenue East
105 m · 18 sec · Kensington Avenue East
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4
Turn right onto Benfield Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Benfield Road
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5
Turn left onto Laurel Drive
30 m · 3 sec · Laurel Drive
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6
Turn right onto West Benfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Benfield Road
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7
Turn left onto Veterans Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Veterans Highway
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8
Turn right onto Maryland 3 Service Road
148 m · 14 sec · Maryland 3 Service Road
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9
Turn left onto Jabez Run
989 ft · 17 sec · Jabez Run
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10
Take the ramp straight toward Bowie, Fort Meade
685 ft · 12 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Robert Crain Highway
61 m · 3 sec · Robert Crain Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 32 West: Odenton, Fort Meade
1.2 km · 60 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Patuxent Freeway
13.2 mi · 18 min · Patuxent Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 South: Washington
2084 ft · 51 sec
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15
Merge slight right
6.5 mi · 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MD 200 Toll West
1.5 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector
9.5 mi · 12 min · Intercounty Connector
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18
Continue on Intercounty Connector
6.2 mi · 8 min · Intercounty Connector
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19
Continue straight
2718 ft · 41 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg
1906 ft · 47 sec
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21
Turn right onto Frederick Road
1160 ft · 27 sec · Frederick Road
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22
Continue on South Frederick Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Frederick Avenue
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23
Turn left
26 m · 6 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kensington and Gaithersburg.
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.
Patuxent Freeway
Merge slight left onto Patuxent Freeway
13.2 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kensington and Rain Showers Likely near Gaithersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kensington to Gaithersburg?
The road trip is about 45.4 miles (73.1 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Kensington and 23.2 miles from Gaithersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.6 miles (54 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 4:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.54 one way or $13.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kensington and Rain Showers Likely near Gaithersburg.
Stop Ideas Near North Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kensington and Gaithersburg. Straight-line distance: 33.57 mi (54.03 km).
#1 Kensington
Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,448 |
| Coordinates | 39.0831700, -76.5799600 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gaithersburg
The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 67,741 |
| Coordinates | 39.1434400, -77.2013700 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.201269, 39.143361)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 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 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.54 | $13.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.36 | $14.72 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.93 | $15.85 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.57 | $19.14 |
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.