How far is Oakland, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Oakland, MD to Columbia, MD is about 43.8 miles (70.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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
43.82 mi
00h 51m
Flight
33.44 mi
53.82 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oakland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.44 mi
Kilometers
53.82 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.82 mi
Kilometers
70.52 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 10:43 AM EDT
Return by in Oakland
Sun, Apr 19, 11:34 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oakland
2026-04-19T09:52
Arrive Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 10:43 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oakland
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Crownsville
MD

Census-designated place in Maryland, United Staes

From Oakland
21.9 mi
00h 25m
To Columbia
21.9 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Muddy Creek Road

    8.1 mi · 13 min · Muddy Creek Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Central Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Solomons Island Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Solomons Island Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Solomons Island Road

    47 m · 9 sec · Solomons Island Road

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 665 West, US 301, I 97, US 50: Aris T Allen Boulevard

    1035 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Aris T Allen Boulevard

    1 km · 53 sec · Aris T Allen Boulevard

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 97, US 50 West, US 301 South: Washington, Baltimore

    1 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 97 North: Baltimore

    1 km · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    6 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    7 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100: Ellicott City, Gibson Island

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 100 West: Ellicott City

    1.3 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

    12.9 mi · 18 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington

    3071 ft · 48 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 97 North
13.6 mi · 31%
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 29%
Muddy Creek Road
8.08 mi · 18%
Solomons Island Road
3.65 mi · 8%
Central Avenue
1.33 mi · 3%
I 97
1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

12.9 mi · 00h 18m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
33.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crownsville
00h 25m from Oakland
Leave By
4:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Oakland 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 Oakland to Columbia?

The road trip is about 43.8 miles (70.5 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Crownsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.9 miles from Oakland and 21.9 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 4:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.33 one way or $12.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Oakland and Rain Showers near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Crownsville

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 Crownsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.5 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.7 mi away

Laurel City Mayor

Laurel , MD
8103 Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD 20707
Rating 4.3/5 3 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 8.9 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Crownsville.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

20 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

24 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

31 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
BUS

Kent Island, MD

32 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 33.44 mi (53.82 km).

Oakland

#1 Oakland

Town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States

Population1,803
Coordinates38.8142800, -76.5438500
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Muddy Creek Road (-76.543903, 38.815037)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 71 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.55 gal
5.85 L · about $6.33
Round trip
$12.67
3.1 gal · 11.7 L
Estimated CO2
13.8 kg one way
Round trip: 27.5 kg / 61 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.33 $12.67
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.13 $14.26
Premium $4.95 $7.68 $15.36
Diesel $5.98 $9.27 $18.54

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

There is no time difference between Oakland and Columbia. The current time is 09:52:25.

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.