How far is Rockville, MD from Arbutus, MD?

The driving distance from Rockville, MD to Arbutus, MD is about 34.4 miles (55.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27 miles (43.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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
34.42 mi
00h 48m
Flight
26.97 mi
43.4 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.97 mi
Kilometers
43.4 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34.42 mi
Kilometers
55.39 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arbutus
Sat, Apr 18, 10:05 AM EDT
Return by in Rockville
Sat, Apr 18, 10:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockville
2026-04-18T09:16
Arrive Arbutus
Sat, Apr 18, 10:05 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
West Laurel
MD

Census designated place

From Rockville
17.2 mi
00h 24m
To Arbutus
17.2 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SE
Destination
83°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockville and Arbutus.

  1. 1

    Start on South Washington Street

    91 m · 17 sec · South Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Jefferson Street

    1648 ft · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Veirs Mill Road

    2844 ft · 1 min · Veirs Mill Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto First Street

    2769 ft · 1 min · First Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Norbeck Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Norbeck Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Georgia Avenue

    1525 ft · 38 sec · Georgia Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward MD 200 Toll East

    2675 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

    10.1 mi · 13 min · Intercounty Connector

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville

    2257 ft · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Konterra Drive

    2986 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville

    1.5 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 198 West: Burtonsville

    2970 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    12.5 mi · 14 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville

    1708 ft · 22 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 166: Catonsville

    2203 ft · 54 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight right onto Metropolitan Boulevard

    2089 ft · 25 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward UMBC Campus

    1922 ft · 36 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto UMBC Boulevard

    117 m · 13 sec · UMBC Boulevard

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward UMBC Boulevard

    58 m · 5 sec · UMBC Boulevard

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto UMBC Boulevard

    1012 ft · 35 sec · UMBC Boulevard

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hilltop Circle

    36 m · 3 sec · Hilltop Circle

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Hilltop Circle

    2757 ft · 2 min · Hilltop Circle

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Poplar Avenue

    1286 ft · 39 sec · Poplar Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Shelbourne Road

    994 ft · 34 sec · Shelbourne Road

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Shelbourne Road

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
75.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MD 198 West
13.8 mi · 40%
Intercounty Connector
10.1 mi · 29%
Norbeck Road
3.58 mi · 10%
MD 198
1.51 mi · 4%
Hilltop Circle
0.54 mi · 2%
Veirs Mill Road
0.54 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

MD 198 West

Merge slight left

12.5 mi · 00h 14m

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
27 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Laurel
00h 24m from Rockville
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rockville and Mostly Sunny near Arbutus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockville to Arbutus?

The road trip is about 34.4 miles (55.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

West Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.2 miles from Rockville and 17.2 miles from Arbutus.

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

The direct path is about 27 miles (43.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 4:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.98 one way or $9.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockville and Mostly Sunny near Arbutus.

Stop Ideas Near West Laurel

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 West Laurel and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 14.7 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 13.4 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
City of Bowie
Meeting point 13.2 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
15901 Excalibur Rd, Bowie, MD 20716
Rating 4.6/5 13 reviews City Hall,City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 6.7 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Laurel.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

17 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

20 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Rockville station

21 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

24 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockville and Arbutus. Straight-line distance: 26.97 mi (43.4 km).

Rockville

#1 Rockville

The most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population69,512
Coordinates39.0840000, -77.1527600
Altitude137
CountryUnited States
Arbutus

#2 Arbutus

Census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States

Population20,483
Coordinates39.2545500, -76.6999700
Altitude46
CountryUnited States
Start: Rockville (-77.15276, 39.084)
End: Arbutus (-76.69997, 39.25455)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 55 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.22 gal
4.6 L · about $4.98
Round trip
$9.97
2.44 gal · 9.2 L
Estimated CO2
10.8 kg one way
Round trip: 21.7 kg / 48 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.98 $9.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.61 $11.22
Premium $4.95 $6.04 $12.09
Diesel $5.98 $7.30 $14.59

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockville and Arbutus. The current time is 09:16:07.

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.