It's a lot further to go. The county I live in, Montgomery County, MD, is filled with citizens (at least the noisy ones) who don't want the discount stores. So you have to drive longer to go to Sams, Lowes, etc.
I lived there about fifteen years ago (my brother in law & family live there now), so you need not say more. I know what that's like.
Not last time I checked! Sorry, bad joke.
Back on topic... Gaithersburg has the only HD with a parking garage that I've ever seen. Too much hassle.