How far is North Potomac, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from North Potomac, MD to Columbia, MD is about 38.7 miles (62.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.3 miles (40.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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 45m.
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.
Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Potomac and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Potomac and Columbia.
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1
Start on Query Mill Road
35 m · 7 sec · Query Mill Road
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2
Turn right onto Turkey Foot Road
2947 ft · 1 min · Turkey Foot Road
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Travilah Road
1951 ft · 40 sec · Travilah Road
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4
Turn straight onto Dufief Mill Road
2 mi · 4 min · Dufief Mill Road
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5
Continue on Muddy Branch Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Muddy Branch Road
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6
Turn right onto Great Seneca Highway
1561 ft · 35 sec · Great Seneca Highway
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7
Turn left onto Sam Eig Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Sam Eig Highway
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8
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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9
Continue on Intercounty Connector
13.2 mi · 17 min · Intercounty Connector
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
1170 ft · 29 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North: Columbia
2435 ft · 59 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
13.5 mi · 18 min · Columbia Pike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
2623 ft · 41 sec
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14
Continue straight
1056 ft · 16 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Long Gate Parkway
864 ft · 21 sec
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16
Turn right onto Long Gate Parkway
2301 ft · 1 min · Long Gate Parkway
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17
Turn left onto Montgomery Road
3232 ft · 1 min · Montgomery Road
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18
Take the ramp left toward US 29 South: Washington
1302 ft · 32 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
1.4 km · 58 sec · 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 North Potomac and Columbia.
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.
Columbia Pike
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
13.5 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.
Sunny leaving North Potomac and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Potomac to Columbia?
The road trip is about 38.7 miles (62.3 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Colesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from North Potomac and 19.8 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.3 miles (40.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.60 one way or $11.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Potomac and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Colesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
The John Wilson Building
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colesville.
Rockville station
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
BWI Rail Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Potomac and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 25.26 mi (40.66 km).
#1 North Potomac
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 24,410 |
| Coordinates | 39.0828900, -77.2649800 |
| Altitude | 79 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.60 | $11.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.79 | $13.57 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.19 | $16.39 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.