How far is Towson, MD from Gaithersburg, MD?

The driving distance from Towson, MD to Gaithersburg, MD is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.7 miles (59 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m 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
52.58 mi
00h 59m
Flight
36.69 mi
59.04 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Towson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.69 mi
Kilometers
59.04 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.58 mi
Kilometers
84.62 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gaithersburg
Wed, Apr 22, 11:54 PM EDT
Return by in Towson
Thu, Apr 23, 12:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Towson
2026-04-22T22:55
Arrive Gaithersburg
Wed, Apr 22, 11:54 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Towson
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
North Laurel
MD

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

From Towson
26.1 mi
00h 29m
To Gaithersburg
26.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W
Destination
50°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Towson and Gaithersburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Towson and Gaithersburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Shealy Avenue

    60 m · 9 sec · Shealy Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Delaware Avenue

    81 m · 15 sec · Delaware Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Pennsylvania Avenue

    109 m · 17 sec · East Pennsylvania Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto York Road

    145 m · 8 sec · York Road

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Towson Roundabout

    87 m · 5 sec · York Road

  6. 6

    Exit the rotary onto York Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · York Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 695 West: Pikesville

    3034 ft · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway

    12.4 mi · 17 min · Baltimore Beltway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Local Traffic, Frederick

    829 ft · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Frederick

    2891 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellicott City

    1.3 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    16.4 mi · 21 min · Columbia Pike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 200 Toll

    562 ft · 14 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 200 Toll West

    3069 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Intercounty Connector

  17. 17

    Continue on Intercounty Connector

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Intercounty Connector

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2718 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 355: Rockville, Gaithersburg

    1906 ft · 47 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Frederick Road

    1160 ft · 27 sec · Frederick Road

  21. 21

    Continue on South Frederick Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Frederick Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left

    26 m · 6 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Towson and Gaithersburg.

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
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
4 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Columbia Pike
16.4 mi · 31%
Intercounty Connector
13.5 mi · 26%
Baltimore Beltway
12.4 mi · 24%
I 70 West
4.21 mi · 8%
South Frederick Avenue
1.56 mi · 3%
York Road
1.1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Columbia Pike

Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

16.4 mi · 00h 21m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.9 mi
36.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Laurel
00h 29m from Towson
Leave By
4:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Towson and Mostly Cloudy near Gaithersburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Towson to Gaithersburg?

The road trip is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?

North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.1 miles from Towson and 26.5 miles from Gaithersburg.

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

The direct path is about 36.7 miles (59 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 4:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.56 one way or $15.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Towson and Mostly Cloudy near Gaithersburg.

Stop Ideas Near North 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 North Laurel and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.2 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 14.6 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 6.6 mi away

Laurel City Office

Laurel , MD
701 Montgomery St #2, Laurel, MD 20707
Senior citizen center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

16 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

21 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

25 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

29 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Towson and Gaithersburg. Straight-line distance: 36.69 mi (59.04 km).

Towson

#1 Towson

Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Population55,197
Coordinates39.4015000, -76.6019100
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Gaithersburg

#2 Gaithersburg

The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population67,741
Coordinates39.1434400, -77.2013700
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Start: Shealy Avenue (-76.601898, 39.401255)
End: (-77.201269, 39.143361)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 85 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
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.

One-way fuel
1.85 gal
7.02 L · about $7.56
Round trip
$15.12
3.7 gal · 14.04 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.9 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.56 $15.12
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.51 $17.02
Premium $4.95 $9.16 $18.33
Diesel $5.98 $11.06 $22.13

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

There is no time difference between Towson and Gaithersburg. The current time is 22:55:26.

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.