How far is Bethesda, MD from Arbutus, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Arbutus, MD is about 33.6 miles (54.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.6 miles (46 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m 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 44m.
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.
Widespread Frost
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Arbutus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Arbutus.
-
1
Start on the route
14 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 25 sec · Bethesda Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
-
4
Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane
1451 ft · 51 sec · Edgemoor Lane
-
5
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
-
6
Continue on Rockville Pike
628 ft · 20 sec · Rockville Pike
-
7
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Jones Bridge Road
-
8
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
1615 ft · 39 sec · Connecticut Avenue
-
9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
1292 ft · 32 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Baltimore
1579 ft · 39 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
13
Merge slight left
19.1 mi · 22 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 195 East, MD 166: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Catonsville
1708 ft · 22 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on MD 166: Catonsville
2203 ft · 54 sec
-
16
Merge slight right onto Metropolitan Boulevard
2089 ft · 25 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward UMBC Campus
1922 ft · 36 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto UMBC Boulevard
117 m · 13 sec · UMBC Boulevard
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward UMBC Boulevard
58 m · 5 sec · UMBC Boulevard
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto UMBC Boulevard
1012 ft · 35 sec · UMBC Boulevard
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hilltop Circle
36 m · 3 sec · Hilltop Circle
-
22
Exit the roundabout onto Hilltop Circle
2757 ft · 2 min · Hilltop Circle
-
23
Turn right onto Poplar Avenue
1286 ft · 39 sec · Poplar Avenue
-
24
Turn left onto Shelbourne Road
994 ft · 34 sec · Shelbourne Road
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shelbourne Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Arbutus.
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 North
Merge slight left
19.1 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.
Widespread Frost leaving Bethesda and Sunny near Arbutus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Arbutus?
The road trip is about 33.6 miles (54.1 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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 Bethesda and 17.1 miles from Arbutus.
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 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 7:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.86 one way or $9.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost around Bethesda and Sunny near Arbutus.
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 Bethesda and Arbutus. Straight-line distance: 28.61 mi (46.04 km).
#1 Bethesda
A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 62,448 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -77.1002600 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arbutus
Census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 20,483 |
| Coordinates | 39.2545500, -76.6999700 |
| Altitude | 46 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelbourne Road (-76.700117, 39.254645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.86 | $9.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.47 | $10.95 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.90 | $11.79 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.12 | $14.23 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.