Cities Near Gaithersburg
Cities near Gaithersburg, Maryland: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Bethesda, Reston, Leesburg. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Gaithersburg, Maryland is Bethesda, about 12 mi (20 km) away — roughly 42 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda | 12 mi / 20 km | 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Reston | 14 mi / 23 km | 27 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Leesburg | 20 mi / 31 km | 38 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Columbia | 21 mi / 33 km | 40 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Frederick | 22 mi / 35 km | 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Centreville | 24 mi / 39 km | 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Alexandria | 25 mi / 40 km | 48 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Bowie | 29 mi / 46 km | 56 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Glen Burnie | 31 mi / 50 km | 1 hr | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Baltimore | 33 mi / 53 km | 59 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from Gaithersburg
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Bethesda, Reston, Leesburg, Columbia, Frederick. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Gaithersburg include Bethesda, Reston, Leesburg, Columbia, Frederick. The closest is Bethesda, about 12 miles (20 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.