How far is South Bel Air, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from South Bel Air, MD to Columbia, MD is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.6 miles (54 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 50m.
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 Mississippi, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Bel Air and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air and Columbia.
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1
Start on South Shamrock Road
1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road
1341 ft · 45 sec · East MacPhail Road
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3
Turn left onto South Main Street
151 m · 14 sec · South Main Street
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4
Continue on Emmorton Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road
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5
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road
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6
Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Baltimore
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi · 9 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi · 8 min · Express Toll Lanes
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi · 2 min · Express Toll Lanes
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11
Merge slight right onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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12
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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13
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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14
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2567 ft · 40 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
2671 ft · 42 sec · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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16
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
6 mi · 7 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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17
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1.1 km · 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
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21
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bel Air and Columbia.
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.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.15 mi · 00h 09m
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 leaving South Bel Air and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Bel Air to Columbia?
The road trip is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Rosedale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from South Bel Air and 22.9 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.6 miles (54 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 4:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.83 one way or $13.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South Bel Air and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Rosedale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rosedale.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
Aberdeen
Kent Island, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bel Air and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 33.58 mi (54.04 km).
#1 South Bel Air
A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
| Population | 48,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.5331600, -76.3374600 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $6.83 | $13.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $7.80 | $15.59 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $8.29 | $16.57 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $10.24 | $20.49 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026