How far is La Plata, MD from Silver Spring, MD?

The driving distance from La Plata, MD to Silver Spring, MD is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32 miles (51.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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
48.57 mi
01h 04m
Flight
31.99 mi
51.49 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Plata.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.99 mi
Kilometers
51.49 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.57 mi
Kilometers
78.17 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Silver Spring
Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM EDT
Return by in La Plata
Sat, Apr 18, 8:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Plata
2026-04-18T06:31
Arrive Silver Spring
Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Plata
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
Camp Springs
MD

Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From La Plata
24.3 mi
00h 32m
To Silver Spring
24.3 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph E
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between La Plata and Silver Spring.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Plata and Silver Spring.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    3 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Kent Avenue

    17 m · 4 sec · Kent Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Charles Street

    2011 ft · 1 min · Charles Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Crain Highway

    14 mi · 22 min · Crain Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Branch Avenue

    9 mi · 12 min · Branch Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park

    2193 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    18.3 mi · 25 min · Capital Beltway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · Capital Beltway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Silver Spring

    1216 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Colesville Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Colesville Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Georgia Avenue

    2287 ft · 59 sec · Georgia Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Georgia Avenue

    28 m · 10 sec · Georgia Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right

    48 m · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right

    26 m · 6 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between La Plata and Silver Spring.

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
22.5 mi · 46%
Crain Highway
14 mi · 29%
Branch Avenue
8.96 mi · 18%
Colesville Road
1.55 mi · 3%
Georgia Avenue
0.45 mi · 1%
I 95 North
0.42 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

18.3 mi · 00h 25m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
32 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camp Springs
00h 32m from La Plata
Leave By
4:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving La Plata and Mostly Sunny near Silver Spring.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Plata to Silver Spring?

The road trip is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Camp Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from La Plata and 24.3 miles from Silver Spring.

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

The direct path is about 32 miles (51.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around La Plata and Mostly Sunny near Silver Spring.

Stop Ideas Near Camp Springs

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 Camp Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 7.6 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 8.4 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 4.3 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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 12.1 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 Camp Springs.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

13 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

14 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

New Carrollton station

17 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

29 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Plata and Silver Spring. Straight-line distance: 31.99 mi (51.49 km).

La Plata

#1 La Plata

Town in Maryland, United States

Population9,800
Coordinates38.5292900, -76.9752500
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Silver Spring

#2 Silver Spring

A city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population71,452
Coordinates38.9906700, -77.0260900
Altitude104
CountryUnited States
Start: Kent Avenue (-76.975303, 38.529282)
End: (-77.026096, 38.9908)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.49 L · about $6.99
Round trip
$13.97
3.42 gal · 12.98 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.99 $13.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.86 $15.73
Premium $4.95 $8.47 $16.94
Diesel $5.98 $10.23 $20.45

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between La Plata and Silver Spring. The current time is 06:31:46.

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.