How far is Olney, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Olney, MD to Columbia, MD is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.6 miles (21.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Olney and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olney and Columbia.
-
1
Start on Georgia Avenue
1007 ft · 36 sec · Georgia Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Spartan Road
1502 ft · 47 sec · Spartan Road
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3
Turn right onto Olney Sandy Spring Road
2.9 mi · 6 min · Olney Sandy Spring Road
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4
Continue on Ashton Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Ashton Road
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5
Continue on Clarksville Pike
9.8 mi · 16 min · Clarksville Pike
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6
Turn left onto Columbia Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Columbia Road
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Columbia Road
18 m · 1 sec · Columbia Road
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Columbia Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Columbia Road
-
9
Continue on Columbia Road
128 m · 15 sec · Columbia Road
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10
Turn right onto Saint Johns Lane
542 ft · 15 sec · Saint Johns Lane
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11
Take the ramp slight right toward US 29 South: Washington
1488 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
1.4 km · 58 sec · Columbia Pike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Olney 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.
Clarksville Pike
Continue on Clarksville Pike
9.77 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Olney and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Olney to Columbia?
The road trip is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.8 miles from Olney and 18.1 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.6 miles (21.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.20 one way or $8.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Olney and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near North Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
Laurel City Office
City of Rockville City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Olney and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 13.59 mi (21.87 km).
#1 Olney
Unincorporated area of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States of America
| Population | 33,844 |
| Coordinates | 39.1531600, -77.0669200 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| 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: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $4.20 | $8.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $4.79 | $9.59 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $5.09 | $10.19 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026