How far is Potomac Heights, MD from Rockville, MD?

The driving distance from Potomac Heights, MD to Rockville, MD is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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
52.54 mi
01h 04m
Flight
32.85 mi
52.86 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Potomac Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.85 mi
Kilometers
52.86 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.54 mi
Kilometers
84.56 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rockville
Sun, May 17, 6:00 PM EDT
Return by in Potomac Heights
Sun, May 17, 7:04 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Potomac Heights
2026-05-17T16:55
Arrive Rockville
Sun, May 17, 6:00 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Potomac Heights
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 Potomac Heights
26.2 mi
00h 32m
To Rockville
26.3 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
This Afternoon

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 17 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
89°F
Today

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 17 8:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac Heights and Rockville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Potomac Heights and Rockville.

  1. 1

    Start on Greenwood Avenue

    101 m · 15 sec · Greenwood Avenue

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cedar Lane

    41 m · 4 sec · Cedar Lane

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto Cedar Lane

    2134 ft · 59 sec · Cedar Lane

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway

    17.6 mi · 26 min · Indian Head Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95, I 495: Richmond, Baltimore

    1177 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South, I 295 North: Washington, Richmond

    1115 ft · 27 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond

    1.1 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Thru)

    8 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway (Thru)

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Continue on Capital Beltway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    16 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270: Rockville, Frederick

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 189: Falls Road

    753 ft · 18 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 189 North: Falls Road, Rockville, Town Center

    567 ft · 14 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Falls Road

    132 m · 21 sec · Falls Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Great Falls Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Great Falls Road

  18. 18

    Continue on West Montgomery Avenue

    1159 ft · 38 sec · West Montgomery Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Washington Street

    19 m · 2 sec · South Washington Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac Heights and Rockville.

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
19.1 mi · 36%
Indian Head Highway
17.6 mi · 34%
Capital Beltway (Thru)
7.98 mi · 15%
I 270
3.09 mi · 6%
I 270 North
1.79 mi · 3%
I 95 South
0.91 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Indian Head Highway

At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway

17.6 mi · 00h 26m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.7 mi
32.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forest Heights
00h 32m from Potomac Heights
Leave By
4:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Potomac Heights and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rockville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Potomac Heights to Rockville?

The road trip is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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 26.2 miles from Potomac Heights and 26.3 miles from Rockville.

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

The direct path is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 4:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.56 one way or $15.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Potomac Heights and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rockville.

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 9.4 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 10.4 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 9.2 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 9.3 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 Potomac Heights and Rockville. Straight-line distance: 32.85 mi (52.86 km).

Potomac Heights

#1 Potomac Heights

Census designated place

Population1,117
Coordinates38.6087300, -77.1405300
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Rockville

#2 Rockville

The most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population69,512
Coordinates39.0840000, -77.1527600
Altitude137
CountryUnited States
Start: Greenwood Avenue (-77.140775, 38.608673)
End: South Washington Street (-77.152887, 39.083997)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 85 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.85 gal
7.02 L · about $7.56
Round trip
$15.12
3.7 gal · 14.04 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.9 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.56 $15.12
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.51 $17.02
Premium $4.95 $9.16 $18.33
Diesel $5.98 $11.06 $22.13

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 · May 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Potomac Heights and Rockville. The current time is 16:55:27.

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.