How far is Silver Spring, MD from Indian Head, MD?
The driving distance from Silver Spring, MD to Indian Head, MD is about 36 miles (57.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28 miles (45 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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 04m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Silver Spring and Indian Head.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Spring and Indian Head.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right onto Mayor Lane
62 m · 12 sec · Mayor Lane
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3
Turn right onto Sligo Avenue
66 m · 8 sec · Sligo Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Georgia Avenue
3.7 mi · 10 min · Georgia Avenue
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5
Turn slight right onto New Hampshire Avenue Northwest
1469 ft · 1 min · New Hampshire Avenue Northwest
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Sherman Avenue Northwest
1.4 km · 2 min · Sherman Avenue Northwest
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7
Continue on Florida Avenue Northwest
866 ft · 38 sec · Florida Avenue Northwest
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8
Continue on 9th Street Northwest
1 mi · 3 min · 9th Street Northwest
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9
Keep slight left to continue on 9th Street Northwest
90 m · 10 sec · 9th Street Northwest
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10
Turn left onto K Street Northwest
570 ft · 12 sec · K Street Northwest
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11
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1657 ft · 1 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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12
Take the ramp slight left toward I 395 South
945 ft · 23 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto 3rd Street Tunnel
1.5 km · 1 min · 3rd Street Tunnel
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 695
1242 ft · 30 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 695 East
1351 ft · 30 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Southeast Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway
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17
Continue on Southeast Freeway
2683 ft · 56 sec · Southeast Freeway
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18
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
5.7 mi · 8 min · Anacostia Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Indian Head
1.6 km · 2 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South
1391 ft · 34 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway
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22
Continue on Indian Head Highway
9.4 mi · 15 min · Indian Head Highway
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23
Continue on Indian Head Highway
116 m · 17 sec · Indian Head Highway
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Indian Head Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Silver Spring and Indian Head.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Indian Head Highway
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
9.59 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Silver Spring and Sunny near Indian Head.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Silver Spring to Indian Head?
The road trip is about 36 miles (57.9 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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 18 miles from Silver Spring and 18 miles from Indian Head.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28 miles (45 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 $5.19 one way or $10.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Silver Spring and Sunny near Indian Head.
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 Silver Spring and Indian Head. Straight-line distance: 27.96 mi (45 km).
#1 Silver Spring
A city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 71,452 |
| Coordinates | 38.9906700, -77.0260900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Indian Head
Town in Charles County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 3,787 |
| Coordinates | 38.6001200, -77.1622000 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
End: Indian Head (-77.1622, 38.60012)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.84 | $11.68 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.59 | $15.19 |
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.