How far is Mountain Lake Park, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Mountain Lake Park, MD to Columbia, MD is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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 02h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mountain Lake Park and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Lake Park and Columbia.
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1
Start on Maryland Highway
6.3 mi · 10 min · Maryland Highway
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2
Continue on Maryland Highway
14.3 mi · 21 min · Maryland Highway
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3
Continue on Pratt Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Pratt Street
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4
Continue on Front Street
1627 ft · 33 sec · Front Street
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5
Turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
7.4 mi · 12 min · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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6
Continue on West Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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7
Continue on Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
1.7 mi · 4 min · Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
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8
Continue on New Georges Creek Road Southwest
1579 ft · 40 sec · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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9
Turn right onto Paradise Street Southwest
1 km · 2 min · Paradise Street Southwest
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10
Turn straight onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
3.3 mi · 5 min · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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11
Take the ramp slight right
2717 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto National Freeway
45.7 mi · 52 min · National Freeway
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13
Continue on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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14
Continue on I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.3 mi · 4 min · I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
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15
Continue on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
66.3 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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16
Continue straight
6.5 mi · 7 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore
4.6 mi · 5 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington
1.2 km · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
3.5 mi · 4 min · Columbia Pike
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mountain Lake Park and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
66.3 mi · 01h 11m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Mountain Lake Park and Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mountain Lake Park to Columbia?
The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Hancock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Mountain Lake Park and 86.8 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 12:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.97 one way or $49.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Mountain Lake Park and Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Hancock
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 Hancock.
Hancock, MD
Martinsburg station
Hagerstown, MD
Cumberland, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mountain Lake Park and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 136.32 mi (219.39 km).
#1 Mountain Lake Park
Town of the United States
| Population | 2,065 |
| Coordinates | 39.3984300, -79.3817100 |
| Altitude | 748 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $24.97 | $49.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $28.10 | $56.20 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $30.27 | $60.54 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $36.54 | $73.08 |
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.