How far is Wheaton, MD from California, MD?
The driving distance from Wheaton, MD to California, MD is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59 miles (95 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 33m 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 46m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wheaton and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton and California.
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1
Start on Veirs Mill Road
2156 ft · 1 min · Veirs Mill Road
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2
Turn straight onto Georgia Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · Georgia Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore
959 ft · 23 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
21.9 mi · 29 min · Capital Beltway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward MD 337: Andrews Air Force Base Main Gate, Morningside
1256 ft · 34 sec
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6
Turn right onto Forestville Road
130 m · 12 sec · Forestville Road
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7
Turn slight right onto MD 337 South
2.2 mi · 5 min
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8
Turn left onto MD 5 South: Waldorf
2410 ft · 40 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue
8.1 mi · 10 min · Branch Avenue
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10
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Crain Highway
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11
Take the exit slight left toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
1536 ft · 39 sec
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12
Merge slight right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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13
Turn left onto Leonardtown Road
10.7 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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14
Continue on Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
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15
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
1065 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shady Mile Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheaton and California.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Capital Beltway
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
21.9 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wheaton and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wheaton to California?
The road trip is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Brandywine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Wheaton and 36.5 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59 miles (95 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 2:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.94 one way or $21.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wheaton and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near California.
Stop Ideas Near Brandywine
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 Brandywine.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wheaton and California. Straight-line distance: 59.02 mi (94.98 km).
#1 Wheaton
Wheaton is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.0398300, -77.0552600 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.50745, 38.3004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 118 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $10.94 | $21.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $12.49 | $24.98 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $13.28 | $26.55 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $16.41 | $32.83 |
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