Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg is a city of 70,000 people (2020) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Understand
Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 for agricultural purposes. It grew into a town after the opening of a stop on the B&O Railroad in 1872; however, the area remained predominately rural until the 1970s. It is now famous for being the site of the headquarters of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Airport is a 45-minute drive from Gaithersburg. It is also accessible via ICC Bus 201.

Washington Reagan National Airport is a 35-minute drive from Gaithersburg and is accessible via the Metrorail (though this takes more time than driving).

Washington Dulles International Airport is a 40-minute drive from Gaithersburg but takes significantly longer using public transportation.



By train
MARC offers service to/from Union Station in Washington, D.C. as well as service to/from Rockville, Germantown, Frederick, and Harpers Ferry via its Brunswick line. The schedule is geared towards commuters with relatively few trains during midday and none on weekends. is located at 5 S Summit Ave and is also in Gaithersburg.

The end of Metrorail 's Red Line, Shady Grove Station, is very close to Gaithersburg.

By bus
RideOn Bus operates service between Gaithersburg and other locations in Montgomery County, including Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton.

By carMe
From D.C. and the south or west take the Capital Beltway (I-495) to Interstate 270 North. Exits 8, 9, 10, and 11 serve Gaithersburg.

By car
A car is best used to get around the city. The local public bus system, RideOn Bus, can be used if traveling along major routes.

Go next

 * Rockville
 * Frederick
 * Germantown
 * Washington, D.C. — About 25 minutes south via Interstate 270 or Metro.