Do not stay in Columbia. You're going the wrong direction, slightly out of the way, and traffic's a pain in that area.

If you're touring, you could stay in one of the Baltimore city hotels that are nice and downtown (and may have good rates).

If you're not, the hotels right by the airport are quite nice (locals often stay at them to take advantage of the free parking), and then you'll be on your way. You could even get up the road some, but if you're late night arrival, the closer the better.

Cherry Hill's probably about 2 1/2 hours from the airport (And I'm being SUPER generous here. It'll likely take you around two).