How far is Kensington, MD from Frederick, MD?

The driving distance from Kensington, MD to Frederick, MD is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 29m 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
37.8 mi
00h 44m
Flight
32.26 mi
51.92 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kensington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.26 mi
Kilometers
51.92 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.8 mi
Kilometers
60.83 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Frederick
Thu, Apr 23, 4:39 AM EDT
Return by in Kensington
Thu, Apr 23, 5:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kensington
2026-04-23T03:54
Arrive Frederick
Thu, Apr 23, 4:39 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:45 AM to 7:45 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Kensington
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
Germantown
MD

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

From Kensington
18.6 mi
00h 22m
To Frederick
19.3 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kensington and Frederick.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kensington and Frederick.

  1. 1

    Start on Connecticut Avenue

    663 ft · 23 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Connecticut Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Connecticut Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 West: Northern Virginia, Frederick

    1408 ft · 34 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North: Frederick

    3.6 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North

    7 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road

    1052 ft · 16 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    20.1 mi · 25 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown

    1678 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Buckeystown Pike

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike

  11. 11

    Continue on Buckeystown Pike

    1354 ft · 31 sec · Buckeystown Pike

  12. 12

    Continue on East Street

    773 ft · 15 sec · East Street

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street

    36 m · 2 sec · East Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto East Street

    1640 ft · 33 sec · East Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East South Street

    610 ft · 24 sec · East South Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Carroll Street

    1280 ft · 45 sec · South Carroll Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East Patrick Street

    812 ft · 25 sec · East Patrick Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Patrick Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kensington and Frederick.

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
47.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MD 117
20.3 mi · 54%
I 270 North
10.6 mi · 28%
Connecticut Avenue
1.65 mi · 4%
Buckeystown Pike
1.59 mi · 4%
Capital Beltway
1.4 mi · 4%
East Street
0.48 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

MD 117

Merge slight right

20.1 mi · 00h 25m

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 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
32.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Germantown
00h 22m from Kensington
Leave By
7:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Kensington and Sunny near Frederick.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kensington to Frederick?

The road trip is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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?

Germantown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Kensington and 19.3 miles from Frederick.

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

The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.9 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 7:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.43 one way or $10.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kensington and Sunny near Frederick.

Stop Ideas Near Germantown

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 Germantown and the surrounding midpoint area.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Scenic stop 5 mi away

Griffith Park at City Hall

Gaithersburg , MD
29 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, United States
Rating 4.6/5 57 reviews Park
Gaithersburg City Hall
Meeting point 5 mi away

Gaithersburg City Hall

Gaithersburg , MD
31 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Rating 4.1/5 14 reviews City Hall,City clerk's office,City government office
City of Rockville City Hall
Scenic stop 9.5 mi away

City of Rockville City Hall

Rockville , MD
111 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
Rating 4.5/5 4 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Rockville station

15 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
BUS

Frederick Airport, MD

29 mi away
1341 Hughes Ford Road
RAIL

Frederick, MD

29 mi away
100 South East Street
RAIL

Washington Union Station

38 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kensington and Frederick. Straight-line distance: 32.26 mi (51.92 km).

Kensington

#1 Kensington

Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

Population2,330
Coordinates39.0256700, -77.0763700
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Frederick

#2 Frederick

The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.

Population73,308
Coordinates39.4142700, -77.4105400
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Start: Connecticut Avenue (-77.076415, 39.025658)
End: East Patrick Street (-77.410551, 39.414165)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.33 gal
5.05 L · about $5.43
Round trip
$10.87
2.66 gal · 10.1 L
Estimated CO2
11.8 kg one way
Round trip: 23.6 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.43 $10.87
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.12 $12.23
Premium $4.95 $6.59 $13.18
Diesel $5.98 $7.95 $15.91

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 Kensington and Frederick. The current time is 03:54:53.

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.