How far is Bethesda, MD from California, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to California, MD is about 65.5 miles (105.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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 48m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and California.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 21 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Arlington Road
2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle
104 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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7
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
69 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.6 mi · 8 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sheridan Circle Northwest
83 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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11
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
148 m · 19 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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12
Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest
707 ft · 16 sec · 22nd Street Northwest
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13
Continue on 23rd Street Northwest
2470 ft · 50 sec · 23rd Street Northwest
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Washington Circle Northwest
700 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
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15
Exit the rotary onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
3182 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
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16
Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
2444 ft · 51 sec · 17th Street Northwest
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17
Continue on 17th Street Southwest
1609 ft · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest
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18
Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest
89 m · 10 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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19
Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest
1480 ft · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
1471 ft · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
768 ft · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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22
Take the ramp straight toward I 395 North
2465 ft · 52 sec
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23
Merge slight right onto Southwest Freeway
1105 ft · 24 sec · Southwest Freeway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard
1872 ft · 43 sec
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26
Turn right onto 11th Street Southeast
1607 ft · 46 sec · 11th Street Southeast
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27
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
2387 ft · 60 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
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28
Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi · 3 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
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29
Turn right onto Naylor Road Southeast
1.1 km · 2 min · Naylor Road Southeast
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30
At the end of the road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast
62 m · 7 sec · Southern Avenue Southeast
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31
Continue on Naylor Road
1522 ft · 53 sec · Naylor Road
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32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road
32 m · 2 sec · Naylor Road
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33
Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road
118 m · 11 sec · Naylor Road
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34
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road
34 m · 3 sec · Naylor Road
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35
Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road
1001 ft · 30 sec · Naylor Road
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36
Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue
1654 ft · 48 sec · Branch Avenue
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37
Keep slight right to continue on Branch Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Branch Avenue
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38
Merge slight right onto Crain Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Crain Highway
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39
Take the exit slight left toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
1536 ft · 39 sec
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40
Merge slight right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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41
Turn left onto Leonardtown Road
10.7 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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42
Continue on Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
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43
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
1065 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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44
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shady Mile Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and California.
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.
Three Notch Road
Continue on Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Bethesda and Sunny near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to California?
The road trip is about 65.5 miles (105.4 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?
Waldorf is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.7 miles from Bethesda and 32.7 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 2:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.44 one way or $18.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near California.
Stop Ideas Near Waldorf
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 Waldorf.
Union Station
Lorton station
Woodbridge station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and California. Straight-line distance: 56.86 mi (91.5 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 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.50745, 38.3004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 105 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $10.62 | $21.25 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $11.44 | $22.89 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $13.81 | $27.63 |
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.