How far is Potomac Heights, MD from Frederick, MD?
The driving distance from Potomac Heights, MD to Frederick, MD is about 80.3 miles (129.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 08m 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 01h 34m.
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.
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac Heights and Frederick.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac Heights and Frederick.
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1
Start on Greenwood Avenue
101 m · 15 sec · Greenwood Avenue
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cedar Lane
41 m · 4 sec · Cedar Lane
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Cedar Lane
2134 ft · 59 sec · Cedar Lane
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway
17.6 mi · 26 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, Baltimore
1177 ft · 29 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Washington, Richmond
1115 ft · 27 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond
1.1 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Thru)
8 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway (Thru)
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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10
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
16 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 270: Rockville, Frederick
3.1 mi · 4 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
1052 ft · 16 sec
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15
Merge slight right
20.1 mi · 25 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
1678 ft · 49 sec
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17
Turn right onto Buckeystown Pike
1.3 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike
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18
Continue on Buckeystown Pike
1354 ft · 31 sec · Buckeystown Pike
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19
Continue on East Street
773 ft · 15 sec · East Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street
36 m · 2 sec · East Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto East Street
1640 ft · 33 sec · East Street
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22
Turn left onto East South Street
610 ft · 24 sec · East South Street
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23
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
1280 ft · 45 sec · South Carroll Street
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24
Turn left onto East Patrick Street
812 ft · 25 sec · East Patrick Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Patrick Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac Heights and Frederick.
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.
MD 117
Merge slight right
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Potomac Heights and Rain Showers Likely near Frederick.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Potomac Heights to Frederick?
The road trip is about 80.3 miles (129.3 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?
Cabin John is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.8 miles from Potomac Heights and 40.6 miles from Frederick.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 3:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.60 one way or $23.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Potomac Heights and Rain Showers Likely near Frederick.
Stop Ideas Near Cabin John
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cabin John.
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Union Station
Burke Centre
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potomac Heights and Frederick. Straight-line distance: 57.51 mi (92.56 km).
#1 Potomac Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 1,117 |
| Coordinates | 38.6087300, -77.1405300 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Frederick
The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.
| Population | 73,308 |
| Coordinates | 39.4142700, -77.4105400 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Patrick Street (-77.410551, 39.414165)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.60 | $23.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.06 | $26.12 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $14.07 | $28.14 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $16.98 | $33.97 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.