How far is Potomac, MD from Saint Charles, MD?
The driving distance from Potomac, MD to Saint Charles, MD is about 49.1 miles (79 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Town in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac and Saint Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac and Saint Charles.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn left onto Falls Road
24 m · 6 sec · Falls Road
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3
Turn left onto River Road
3.2 mi · 7 min · River Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South: Northern Virginia
1831 ft · 44 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Cabin John Parkway
77 m · 3 sec · Cabin John Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Northern Virginia, Fairfax
1185 ft · 29 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
18.5 mi · 23 min · Capital Beltway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
4.3 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
783 ft · 19 sec
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11
Continue on MD 210 South: Indian Head
1.1 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South
1391 ft · 34 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway
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14
Continue on Berry Road
3.9 mi · 6 min · Berry Road
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15
Turn right onto Middletown Road
1396 ft · 34 sec · Middletown Road
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16
Turn left onto McDaniel Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · McDaniel Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Smallwood Drive West
1.1 mi · 2 min · Smallwood Drive West
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18
Turn right onto Crain Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Crain Highway
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Crain Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac and Saint Charles.
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.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
18.5 mi · 00h 23m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Potomac and Mostly Cloudy near Saint Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Potomac to Saint Charles?
The road trip is about 49.1 miles (79 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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 24 miles from Potomac and 25 miles from Saint Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 $7.07 one way or $14.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Potomac and Mostly Cloudy near Saint Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Forest Heights
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 Forest Heights.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potomac and Saint Charles. Straight-line distance: 32.15 mi (51.74 km).
#1 Potomac
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 44,965 |
| Coordinates | 39.0181700, -77.2085900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Charles
City in St.
| Population | 36,376 |
| Coordinates | 38.6031700, -76.9385800 |
| Altitude | 61 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 301 (-76.935986, 38.601566)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 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 | $7.07 | $14.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.96 | $15.91 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.57 | $17.14 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.35 | $20.69 |
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.