How far is North Potomac, MD from Saint Charles, MD?

The driving distance from North Potomac, MD to Saint Charles, MD is about 55.8 miles (89.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 36m 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
55.78 mi
01h 18m
Flight
37.51 mi
60.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Potomac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.51 mi
Kilometers
60.37 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.78 mi
Kilometers
89.77 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Charles
Thu, Apr 23, 12:26 AM EDT
Return by in North Potomac
Thu, Apr 23, 1:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Potomac
2026-04-22T23:08
Arrive Saint Charles
Thu, Apr 23, 12:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Potomac
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
Forest Heights
MD

Town in Maryland, United States

From North Potomac
27.3 mi
00h 39m
To Saint Charles
28.5 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
49°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Potomac and Saint Charles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Potomac and Saint Charles.

  1. 1

    Start on Query Mill Road

    35 m · 7 sec · Query Mill Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Turkey Foot Road

    2947 ft · 1 min · Turkey Foot Road

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto Travilah Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Travilah Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Glen Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Glen Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Piney Meetinghouse Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Piney Meetinghouse Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto River Road

    4.9 mi · 9 min · River Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South: Northern Virginia

    1831 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Cabin John Parkway

    77 m · 3 sec · Cabin John Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Northern Virginia, Fairfax

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    18.5 mi · 23 min · Capital Beltway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 210 South: Indian Head

    783 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on MD 210 South: Indian Head

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway

    9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Berry Road

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Berry Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Middletown Road

    1396 ft · 34 sec · Middletown Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto McDaniel Road

    1.9 mi · 4 min · McDaniel Road

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Smallwood Drive West

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Smallwood Drive West

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Crain Highway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Crain Highway

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Crain Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Potomac and Saint Charles.

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
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
20.8 mi · 37%
Indian Head Highway
9.59 mi · 17%
River Road
4.89 mi · 9%
Capital Beltway (Local)
4.26 mi · 8%
Berry Road
3.86 mi · 7%
Glen Road
2.21 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

18.5 mi · 00h 23m

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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.3 mi
37.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forest Heights
00h 39m from North Potomac
Leave By
3:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving North Potomac and Mostly Cloudy near Saint Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Potomac to Saint Charles?

The road trip is about 55.8 miles (89.8 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?

Forest Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.3 miles from North Potomac and 28.5 miles from Saint Charles.

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

The direct path is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 3:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.05 one way or $16.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around North Potomac and Mostly Cloudy near Saint Charles.

Stop Ideas Near Forest Heights

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 Forest Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 10.9 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 11.9 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 10.9 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
District of Columbia Court
Nearby stop 10.8 mi away

District of Columbia Court

Washington , DC
430 E St NW #115, Washington, DC 20001
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City courthouse,Federal courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Forest Heights.

RAIL

Union Station

6 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

10 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

20 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

23 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Potomac and Saint Charles. Straight-line distance: 37.51 mi (60.37 km).

North Potomac

#1 North Potomac

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

Population24,410
Coordinates39.0828900, -77.2649800
Altitude79
CountryUnited States
Saint Charles

#2 Saint Charles

City in St.

Population36,376
Coordinates38.6031700, -76.9385800
Altitude61
CountryUnited States
Start: Query Mill Road (-77.265145, 39.083029)
End: US 301 (-76.935986, 38.601566)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.97 gal
7.45 L · about $8.05
Round trip
$16.10
3.94 gal · 14.9 L
Estimated CO2
17.5 kg one way
Round trip: 35 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $8.05 $16.10
Mid-grade $4.60 $9.06 $18.12
Premium $4.95 $9.76 $19.52
Diesel $5.98 $11.78 $23.56

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 North Potomac and Saint Charles. The current time is 23:08:08.

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.