How far is Bethany Beach, DE from Elsmere, DE?
The driving distance from Bethany Beach, DE to Elsmere, DE is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.9 miles (141.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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 02h 21m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethany Beach and Elsmere.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethany Beach and Elsmere.
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1
Start on Campbell Place
612 ft · 29 sec · Campbell Place
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Pennsylvania Avenue
2999 ft · 1 min · North Pennsylvania Avenue
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3
Merge slight left onto Coastal Highway
15.5 mi · 28 min · Coastal Highway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Coastal Highway
19.3 mi · 27 min · Coastal Highway
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5
Continue on Milford Bypass
2.1 mi · 3 min · Milford Bypass
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6
Continue on Bay Road
14.5 mi · 19 min · Bay Road
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7
Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
4.4 mi · 5 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.6 mi · 32 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
6.5 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Stanton Christiana Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Stanton Christiana Road
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12
Continue on Mitch Road
1947 ft · 37 sec · Mitch Road
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13
Continue on Limestone Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Limestone Road
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14
Turn right onto Kirkwood Highway
3.5 mi · 6 min · Kirkwood Highway
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Robert Kirkwood Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethany Beach and Elsmere.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.6 mi · 00h 32m
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 then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Bethany Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Elsmere.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethany Beach to Elsmere?
The road trip is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?
Highland Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.3 miles from Bethany Beach and 51.3 miles from Elsmere.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.9 miles (141.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 1:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.79 one way or $29.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Bethany Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Elsmere.
Stop Ideas Near Highland Acres
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 Highland Acres.
Dover, Delaware
Easton Airport, Maryland
Kent Island, MD
Newark
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethany Beach and Elsmere. Straight-line distance: 87.85 mi (141.38 km).
#1 Bethany Beach
Town in Delaware
| Population | 1,283 |
| Coordinates | 38.5395600, -75.0551800 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elsmere
Town in Delaware
| Population | 5,761 |
| Coordinates | 39.7392800, -75.5979800 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elsmere (-75.59798, 39.73928)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 165 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.79 | $29.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.65 | $33.30 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.93 | $35.87 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $21.65 | $43.30 |
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 Delaware · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.