How far is Potomac Heights, MD from Silver Spring, MD?
The driving distance from Potomac Heights, MD to Silver Spring, MD is about 48.3 miles (77.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.1 miles (43.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m 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 03m.
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 Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac Heights and Silver Spring.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac Heights and Silver Spring.
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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
19.5 mi · 30 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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6
Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS
639 ft · 18 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
870 ft · 25 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right
1579 ft · 39 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 395 North: 3rd Street Tunnel
637 ft · 16 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto 3rd Street Tunnel
2121 ft · 40 sec · 3rd Street Tunnel
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13
Take the exit slight right
1589 ft · 41 sec
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14
Continue on 2nd Street Northwest
149 m · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
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15
Turn left onto E Street Northwest
1784 ft · 45 sec · E Street Northwest
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16
Turn right onto 6th Street Northwest
2691 ft · 49 sec · 6th Street Northwest
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17
Turn sharp left onto New York Avenue Northwest
676 ft · 22 sec · New York Avenue Northwest
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18
Continue on Allen Y Lew Place Northwest
585 ft · 14 sec · Allen Y Lew Place Northwest
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19
Turn right onto 9th Street Northwest
1 mi · 3 min · 9th Street Northwest
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20
Continue on Florida Avenue Northwest
870 ft · 38 sec · Florida Avenue Northwest
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21
Continue on Sherman Avenue Northwest
1.4 km · 2 min · Sherman Avenue Northwest
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22
Continue on New Hampshire Avenue Northwest
1004 ft · 22 sec · New Hampshire Avenue Northwest
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23
Turn right onto Princeton Place Northwest
86 m · 13 sec · Princeton Place Northwest
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24
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue Northwest
3.8 mi · 10 min · Georgia Avenue Northwest
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25
Turn right
48 m · 14 sec
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26
Turn right
26 m · 6 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac Heights and Silver Spring.
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.
Indian Head Highway
At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway
19.5 mi · 00h 30m
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 Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Silver Spring.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Potomac Heights to Silver Spring?
The road trip is about 48.3 miles (77.8 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Friendly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Potomac Heights and 31.4 miles from Silver Spring.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.1 miles (43.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 4:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Potomac Heights and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Silver Spring.
Stop Ideas Near Friendly
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 Friendly.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Lorton station
New Carrollton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potomac Heights and Silver Spring. Straight-line distance: 27.1 mi (43.61 km).
#1 Potomac Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 1,117 |
| Coordinates | 38.6087300, -77.1405300 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Silver Spring
A city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 71,452 |
| Coordinates | 38.9906700, -77.0260900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.026096, 38.9908)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.99 | $13.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.47 | $16.94 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.23 | $20.45 |
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.