How far is Arbutus, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Arbutus, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.6 miles (46 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arbutus and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arbutus and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Shelbourne Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Shelbourne Road
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2
Turn right onto Sulphur Spring Road
2244 ft · 1 min · Sulphur Spring Road
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3
Turn right onto Selford Road
946 ft · 19 sec · Selford Road
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4
Continue on South Rolling Road
1038 ft · 21 sec · South Rolling Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 195 East
122 m · 10 sec
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6
Continue on I 195 East
652 ft · 16 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Metropolitan Boulevard
1 km · 41 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
2757 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 22 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
1 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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15
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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17
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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18
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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20
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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21
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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22
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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23
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arbutus and Bethesda.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 00h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Cloudy leaving Arbutus and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arbutus to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from Arbutus and 16.5 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.6 miles (46 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.74 one way or $9.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Arbutus and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near West Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Rockville City Hall
D C Government
City of Bowie
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Laurel.
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arbutus and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 28.61 mi (46.04 km).
#1 Arbutus
Census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 20,483 |
| Coordinates | 39.2545500, -76.6999700 |
| Altitude | 46 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bethesda
A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 62,448 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -77.1002600 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.33 | $10.67 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.75 | $11.49 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.94 | $13.87 |
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 · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.