How far is Waldorf, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Waldorf, MD to Columbia, MD is about 58.9 miles (94.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m 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
58.91 mi
01h 10m
Flight
42.89 mi
69.02 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waldorf.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.89 mi
Kilometers
69.02 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.91 mi
Kilometers
94.81 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Wed, Apr 22, 11:41 PM EDT
Return by in Waldorf
Thu, Apr 23, 12:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waldorf
2026-04-22T22:31
Arrive Columbia
Wed, Apr 22, 11:41 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waldorf
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
New Carrollton
MD

City in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From Waldorf
29.5 mi
00h 35m
To Columbia
29.5 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph W
Destination
72°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waldorf and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waldorf and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Lancaster Circle

    1538 ft · 1 min · Lancaster Circle

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Smallwood Drive West

    1562 ft · 42 sec · Smallwood Drive West

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Saint Patricks Drive

    1.6 km · 2 min · Saint Patricks Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Crain Highway

    6.2 mi · 10 min · Crain Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Branch Avenue

    9 mi · 12 min · Branch Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park

    2193 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    18.3 mi · 25 min · Capital Beltway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I-95 North: Baltimore

    16.3 mi · 19 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City

    1649 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington

    3071 ft · 48 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waldorf and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
18.3 mi · 31%
I-95 North
16.3 mi · 28%
Branch Avenue
8.96 mi · 15%
Crain Highway
6.22 mi · 11%
MD 100 West
5.56 mi · 9%
Saint Patricks Drive
0.96 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

18.3 mi · 00h 25m

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
01h 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
42.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Carrollton
00h 35m from Waldorf
Leave By
4:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waldorf and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waldorf to Columbia?

The road trip is about 58.9 miles (94.8 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

New Carrollton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.5 miles from Waldorf and 29.5 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 4:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.50 one way or $17.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waldorf and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near New Carrollton

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 New Carrollton and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 9.2 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8.4 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 10.2 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 4 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Carrollton.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

2 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

14 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

24 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

26 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waldorf and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 42.89 mi (69.02 km).

Waldorf

#1 Waldorf

Census designated place

Population67,752
Coordinates38.6245600, -76.9391400
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Lancaster Circle (-76.939404, 38.624597)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.08 gal
7.87 L · about $8.50
Round trip
$17.00
4.16 gal · 15.74 L
Estimated CO2
18.5 kg one way
Round trip: 37 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $8.50 $17.00
Mid-grade $4.60 $9.57 $19.13
Premium $4.95 $10.30 $20.61
Diesel $5.98 $12.44 $24.88

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 Waldorf and Columbia. The current time is 22:31:04.

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.