How far is Potomac, MD from Silver Spring, MD?
The driving distance from Potomac, MD to Silver Spring, MD is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10 miles (16.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Town located in Montgomery County, 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
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac and Silver Spring.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac and Silver Spring.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right onto Falls Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Falls Road
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3
Turn right onto Democracy Boulevard
4.4 mi · 8 min · Democracy Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Old Georgetown Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Old Georgetown Road
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5
Turn left onto I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
1069 ft · 28 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MD 97 South: Georgia Avenue South, Silver Spring
1376 ft · 36 sec
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8
Turn right onto Georgia Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · Georgia Avenue
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9
Continue on Georgia Avenue
28 m · 10 sec · Georgia Avenue
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10
Turn right
48 m · 14 sec
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11
Turn right
26 m · 6 sec
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac 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.
Capital Beltway
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
4.4 mi · 00h 06m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Potomac 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 to Silver Spring?
The road trip is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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?
Chevy Chase View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from Potomac and 7.2 miles from Silver Spring.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10 miles (16.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.96 one way or $3.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.3 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 Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Silver Spring.
Stop Ideas Near Chevy Chase View
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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chevy Chase View.
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potomac and Silver Spring. Straight-line distance: 9.98 mi (16.06 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 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: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.96 | $3.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.38 | $4.76 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.87 | $5.74 |
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.