How far is Bethesda, MD from Cape Saint Claire, MD?

The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Cape Saint Claire, MD is about 43.7 miles (70.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.4 miles (57 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m 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
43.71 mi
01h 01m
Flight
35.44 mi
57.04 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
35.44 mi
Kilometers
57.04 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.71 mi
Kilometers
70.34 km
Drive Time
01h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Saint Claire
Sat, Apr 18, 10:49 AM EDT
Return by in Bethesda
Sat, Apr 18, 11:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethesda
2026-04-18T09:47
Arrive Cape Saint Claire
Sat, Apr 18, 10:49 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:26 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
21.8 mi
00h 30m
To Cape Saint Claire
21.9 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Cape Saint Claire.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Cape Saint Claire.

  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

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 179: Saint Margarets Road, Busch's Frontage Road

    945 ft · 23 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Busch's Frontage Road

    2286 ft · 50 sec · Busch's Frontage Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Saint Margarets Road

    723 ft · 23 sec · Saint Margarets Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Cape Saint Claire Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Cape Saint Claire Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Hilltop Drive

    1215 ft · 37 sec · Hilltop Drive

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Blue Ridge Drive

    997 ft · 29 sec · Blue Ridge Drive

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Hampton Road

    1325 ft · 1 min · Hampton Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Dogwood Tree Drive

    95 m · 14 sec · Dogwood Tree Drive

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dogwood Tree Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Cape Saint Claire.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John Hanson Highway
18.7 mi · 43%
Capital Beltway
14.4 mi · 33%
Blue Star Memorial Highway
4.13 mi · 9%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 3%
US 50 East
1.01 mi · 2%
Cape Saint Claire Road
0.89 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
01h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
35.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodmore
00h 30m from Bethesda
Leave By
4:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Cape Saint Claire.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Cape Saint Claire?

The road trip is about 43.7 miles (70.3 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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 21.8 miles from Bethesda and 21.9 miles from Cape Saint Claire.

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

The direct path is about 35.4 miles (57 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 $6.29 one way or $12.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Cape Saint Claire.

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 12.3 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 11.8 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 12.1 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 8.3 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 Cape Saint Claire. Straight-line distance: 35.44 mi (57.04 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 Cape Saint Claire

Park in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States of America

Population8,747
Coordinates39.0431700, -76.4449600
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethesda (-77.10026, 38.98067)
End: Cape Saint Claire (-76.44496, 39.04317)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.54 gal
5.84 L · about $6.29
Round trip
$12.58
3.08 gal · 11.68 L
Estimated CO2
13.7 kg one way
Round trip: 27.4 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.29 $12.58
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.08 $14.16
Premium $4.95 $7.63 $15.26
Diesel $5.98 $9.21 $18.42

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethesda and Cape Saint Claire. The current time is 09:47:24.

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.