How far is Arlington, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Arlington, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.9 miles (54.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 02m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Cuthbert Avenue
1222 ft · 44 sec · Cuthbert Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Belvedere Avenue
2912 ft · 2 min · West Belvedere Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Belvieu Avenue
78 m · 9 sec · Belvieu Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Garrison Boulevard
2 mi · 6 min · Garrison Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto Windsor Avenue
98 m · 13 sec · Windsor Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Denison Street
120 m · 16 sec · Denison Street
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7
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Road
154 m · 19 sec · Bloomingdale Road
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8
Turn right onto North Hilton Street
631 ft · 24 sec · North Hilton Street
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9
Continue on Hilton Parkway
1.3 mi · 3 min · Hilton Parkway
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10
Turn straight onto North Hilton Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Hilton Street
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11
Turn straight onto South Caton Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · South Caton Avenue
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
2800 ft · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
22 mi · 26 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
1 km · 1 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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19
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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21
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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22
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
-
23
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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24
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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25
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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26
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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27
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Bethesda.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
22 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington and Mostly Sunny near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km) and usually takes 01h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20 miles from Arlington and 21.4 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.9 miles (54.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.97 one way or $11.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington and Mostly Sunny near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near North Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 33.84 mi (54.46 km).
#1 Arlington
Arlington is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.3485700, -76.6832400 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| 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: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.97 | $11.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.71 | $13.43 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.23 | $14.47 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.73 | $17.46 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.