How far is Bethesda, MD from Arnold, MD?

The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Arnold, MD is about 41 miles (66 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
41 mi
00h 56m
Flight
32.28 mi
51.95 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethesda.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.28 mi
Kilometers
51.95 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41 mi
Kilometers
65.99 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arnold
Wed, Apr 15, 9:00 AM EDT
Return by in Bethesda
Wed, Apr 15, 9:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethesda
2026-04-15T08:04
Arrive Arnold
Wed, Apr 15, 9:00 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bethesda
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Woodmore
MD

Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From Bethesda
20.4 mi
00h 28m
To Arnold
20.5 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Arnold.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Arnold.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 25 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Arlington Road

    1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane

    1451 ft · 51 sec · Edgemoor Lane

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Rockville Pike

    628 ft · 20 sec · Rockville Pike

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Jones Bridge Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue

    1615 ft · 39 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring

    1292 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    14.4 mi · 18 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    18.7 mi · 22 min · John Hanson Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 3 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 2 North, MD 450 South: Baltimore, Naval Academy

    994 ft · 24 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 2 North: Baltimore

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Arnold Road

    98 m · 19 sec · Arnold Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard

    60 m · 9 sec · Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Church Road

    738 ft · 21 sec · Church Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Church Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Arnold.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John Hanson Highway
18.7 mi · 46%
Capital Beltway
14.4 mi · 35%
Blue Star Memorial Highway
1.96 mi · 5%
MD 2 North
1.59 mi · 4%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 3%
US 50 East
1.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

John Hanson Highway

Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

18.7 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.8 mi
32.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodmore
00h 28m from Bethesda
Leave By
4:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Arnold.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Arnold?

The road trip is about 41 miles (66 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Woodmore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.4 miles from Bethesda and 20.5 miles from Arnold.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 4:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.92 one way or $11.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Arnold.

Stop Ideas Near Woodmore

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Woodmore and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 11.1 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.6 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 11.1 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 7 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodmore.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

6 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

18 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

26 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

31 mi away
7 Amtrak Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Arnold. Straight-line distance: 32.28 mi (51.95 km).

Bethesda

#1 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Arnold

Arnold is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.0320600, -76.5027400
Altitude39
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethesda (-77.10026, 38.98067)
End: Arnold (-76.50274, 39.03206)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
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 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.45 gal
5.48 L · about $5.92
Round trip
$11.85
2.9 gal · 10.96 L
Estimated CO2
12.9 kg one way
Round trip: 25.8 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.92 $11.85
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.67 $13.34
Premium $4.95 $7.18 $14.37
Diesel $5.98 $8.67 $17.34

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

There is no time difference between Bethesda and Arnold. The current time is 08:04:02.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.