How far is Rockville, MD from Shady Side, MD?
The driving distance from Rockville, MD to Shady Side, MD is about 53.2 miles (85.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m 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 20m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockville and Shady Side.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockville and Shady Side.
-
1
Start on South Washington Street
19 m · 9 sec · South Washington Street
-
2
Turn left onto West Montgomery Avenue
1144 ft · 34 sec · West Montgomery Avenue
-
3
Continue on Great Falls Road
1 km · 2 min · Great Falls Road
-
4
Turn right onto Falls Road
132 m · 17 sec · Falls Road
-
5
Continue on Falls Road
144 m · 18 sec · Falls Road
-
6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 270 South
1769 ft · 51 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
2.6 mi · 3 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.8 mi · 4 min
-
9
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
21.9 mi · 29 min · Capital Beltway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro
1696 ft · 41 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road
628 ft · 15 sec
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Ritchie Marlboro Road
87 m · 5 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
-
13
Exit the roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
1594 ft · 27 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Ritchie Marlboro Road
43 m · 2 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
-
15
Exit the roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road
1955 ft · 41 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road
-
16
Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road
5.2 mi · 9 min · Ritchie Marlboro Road
-
17
Take the ramp straight toward MD 4 South: Prince Frederick
1046 ft · 25 sec
-
18
Merge slight right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
-
19
Continue on Stephanie Roper Highway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Stephanie Roper Highway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward MD 258 East: Bristol, Deale
864 ft · 21 sec
-
21
Continue on Southern Maryland Boulevard
7.1 mi · 11 min · Southern Maryland Boulevard
-
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Deale Churchton Road
61 m · 6 sec · Deale Churchton Road
-
23
Exit the roundabout onto Deale Churchton Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Deale Churchton Road
-
24
Turn right onto Shady Side Road
1 mi · 2 min · Shady Side Road
-
25
Continue on Shady Side Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Shady Side Road
-
26
Turn right onto Snug Harbor Road
1278 ft · 35 sec · Snug Harbor Road
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Snug Harbor Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockville and Shady Side.
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 right onto Capital Beltway
21.9 mi · 00h 29m
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 Rockville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Shady Side.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockville to Shady Side?
The road trip is about 53.2 miles (85.6 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Lake Arbor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from Rockville and 26.6 miles from Shady Side.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 3:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.68 one way or $15.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rockville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Shady Side.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Arbor
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 Lake Arbor.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Union Station
BWI Rail Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockville and Shady Side. Straight-line distance: 38.27 mi (61.59 km).
#1 Rockville
The most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 69,512 |
| Coordinates | 39.0840000, -77.1527600 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shady Side
Census designated place
| Population | 5,803 |
| Coordinates | 38.8417800, -76.5121800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shady Side (-76.51218, 38.84178)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.65 | $17.29 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.31 | $18.63 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.24 | $22.48 |
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.