How far is Shady Side, MD from Gaithersburg, MD?
The driving distance from Shady Side, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is about 60 miles (96.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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 12m.
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.
City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shady Side and Gaithersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shady Side and Gaithersburg.
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1
Start on Snug Harbor Road
1278 ft · 41 sec · Snug Harbor Road
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2
Turn left onto Shady Side Road
2.8 mi · 6 min · Shady Side Road
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3
Turn left onto Deale Churchton Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Deale Churchton Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bay Front Road
29 m · 3 sec · Bay Front Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Bay Front Road
6.8 mi · 10 min · Bay Front Road
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6
Turn right onto Southern Maryland Boulevard
156 m · 13 sec · Southern Maryland Boulevard
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7
Take the ramp left toward MD 4 North: Washington
886 ft · 22 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Stephanie Roper Highway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Stephanie Roper Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward MD 717: Upper Marlboro
1525 ft · 52 sec
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10
Turn right onto Water Street
1300 ft · 31 sec · Water Street
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11
Turn right onto Main Street
2466 ft · 59 sec · Main Street
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12
Turn left onto Largo Road
7.6 mi · 12 min · Largo Road
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13
Continue on Landover Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Landover Road
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14
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North, I 495 North: College Park, Baltimore
2934 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
9 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North: Frederick
3.6 mi · 5 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North
7.3 mi · 10 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 South: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Quince Orchard Road
1387 ft · 42 sec
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20
Turn left onto West Diamond Avenue
2537 ft · 51 sec · West Diamond Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Meem Avenue
616 ft · 29 sec · Meem Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
1033 ft · 35 sec · Chestnut Street
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23
Turn right onto North Frederick Avenue
77 m · 7 sec · North Frederick Avenue
-
24
Turn right
26 m · 6 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shady Side and Gaithersburg.
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 left to continue on Capital Beltway
9.52 mi · 00h 12m
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 Sunny leaving Shady Side and Sunny near Gaithersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shady Side to Gaithersburg?
The road trip is about 60 miles (96.5 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Glenarden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.8 miles from Shady Side and 31.1 miles from Gaithersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.66 one way or $17.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Shady Side and Sunny near Gaithersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Glenarden
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 Glenarden.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shady Side and Gaithersburg. Straight-line distance: 42.48 mi (68.36 km).
#1 Shady Side
Census designated place
| Population | 5,803 |
| Coordinates | 38.8417800, -76.5121800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gaithersburg
The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 67,741 |
| Coordinates | 39.1434400, -77.2013700 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.201269, 39.143361)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 96 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $8.66 | $17.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $9.75 | $19.50 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $10.50 | $21.00 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $12.68 | $25.36 |
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.