How far is West Laurel, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from West Laurel, MD to Columbia, MD is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.1 miles (16.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Laurel and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Laurel and Columbia.
-
1
Start on Sandy Street
60 m · 10 sec · Sandy Street
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2
Turn right onto Park Hall Drive West
643 ft · 30 sec · Park Hall Drive West
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3
Turn right onto Malaya Place
102 m · 20 sec · Malaya Place
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4
Turn left onto Orly Lane
129 m · 20 sec · Orly Lane
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5
Turn right onto Bounds Avenue
66 m · 12 sec · Bounds Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Sweitzer Lane
1205 ft · 55 sec · Sweitzer Lane
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7
Turn left onto Sandy Spring Road
2891 ft · 1 min · Sandy Spring Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North
2687 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 50 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
8.9 mi · 10 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1649 ft · 47 sec
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12
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Laurel 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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
8.87 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers leaving West Laurel and Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Laurel to Columbia?
The road trip is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km) and usually takes 00h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jessup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.1 miles from West Laurel and 9.1 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.1 miles (16.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.62 one way or $5.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around West Laurel and Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Jessup
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jessup.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Laurel and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 10.14 mi (16.32 km).
#1 West Laurel
Census designated place
| Population | 4,230 |
| Coordinates | 39.1012200, -76.8997000 |
| Altitude | 107 |
| 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: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.62 | $5.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.94 | $5.89 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.17 | $6.34 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.83 | $7.65 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.