How far is Kensington, MD from Gaithersburg, MD?
Fastest route
Here are the summarized directions from Kensington, Maryland 20895 to Gaithersburg, Maryland:
- Take I-495 W in Bethesda from MD-185 S/Connecticut Ave.
- Drive north on Connecticut Ave toward Warner St.
- Turn right onto Warner St, then right onto Armory Ave.
- Turn right at the first cross street onto Baltimore St.
- Turn left at the first cross street onto MD-185 S/Connecticut Ave.
- Slight right to merge onto I-495 W toward Northern/Frederick.
- Drive on I-270 N and take exit 10 toward MD-117/Clopper Rd/W. Diamond Ave/MD-124 S/Quince Orchard Road.
- Continue on MD-117 E/W Diamond Ave, then turn left onto Chestnut St.
Estimated travel time: 21 minutes (15.2 miles) via I-270 N.
Directions
To get from Kensington to Gaithersburg, follow these steps:
- Start your journey on Connecticut Ave in Kensington.
- Head north on Connecticut Ave toward Warner St.
- Turn right onto Warner St, then right onto Armory Ave.
- Take the first right onto Baltimore St.
- Turn left onto MD-185 S/Connecticut Ave.
- Merge slightly to the right to enter I-495 W toward Northern/Frederick.
- Continue on I-495 W and merge onto I-270 N.
- Take exit 10 toward MD-117/Clopper Rd/W. Diamond Ave/MD-124 S/Quince Orchard Road.
- Follow the signs for MD-117 E/W Diamond Ave and continue straight.
- Make a left turn onto Chestnut St in Gaithersburg.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Make sure to check the real-time traffic conditions before starting your journey to choose the fastest route.
- ⚠️ Pay attention to the road signs and follow the instructions for each turn.
- 📍 Use a GPS or navigation app for turn-by-turn directions to stay on track.
- ⛽️ Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
- 🚦 Observe traffic rules and regulations while driving.
- 🚧 Be aware of any road closures or construction that may affect your route.
- 🕑 Allow extra time for unexpected delays or heavy traffic.
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.
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.
The most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms 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.
-
1
Start on Connecticut Avenue
2171 ft · 1 min · Connecticut Avenue
-
2
Keep slight left to continue on Connecticut Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Connecticut Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto Veirs Mill Road
4 mi · 7 min · Veirs Mill Road
-
4
Turn right onto First Street
2764 ft · 1 min · First Street
-
5
Continue on Norbeck Road
2084 ft · 37 sec · Norbeck Road
-
6
Turn left onto East Gude Drive
2.1 mi · 4 min · East Gude Drive
-
7
Turn right onto Frederick Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · Frederick Road
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8
Continue on South Frederick Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Frederick Avenue
-
9
Turn left
26 m · 6 sec
-
10
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.
Veirs Mill Road
Turn left onto Veirs Mill Road
3.96 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kensington and Showers And Thunderstorms 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 16 miles (25.7 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 6.2 miles from Kensington and 9.8 miles from Gaithersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.6 miles (17 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.29 one way or $4.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kensington and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Gaithersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Rockville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
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 Kensington and Gaithersburg. Straight-line distance: 10.54 mi (16.97 km).
#1 Kensington
Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,330 |
| Coordinates | 39.0256700, -77.0763700 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| 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: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 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 | $2.29 | $4.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.58 | $5.15 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.77 | $5.55 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
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 · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.