How far is Bethesda, MD from Charlestown, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Charlestown, MD is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.9 miles (173.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m 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 54m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Charlestown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Charlestown.
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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 · 25 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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4
Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane
1451 ft · 51 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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5
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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6
Continue on Rockville Pike
1.6 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 270 North: Frederick
1747 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 5 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
1052 ft · 16 sec
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11
Merge slight right
21 mi · 26 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
1986 ft · 31 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Hagerstown
1899 ft · 29 sec
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14
Merge slight right
52.1 mi · 56 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 40, I 68: Cumberland
45.4 mi · 52 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MD 36: Westernport, Frostburg
1983 ft · 49 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on MD 36 South: Westernport
84 m · 7 sec
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18
Turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
3.6 mi · 6 min · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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19
Turn slight left onto Paradise Street Southwest
1 km · 2 min · Paradise Street Southwest
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
1579 ft · 38 sec · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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21
Continue on Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
1.7 mi · 4 min · Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
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22
Continue on East Main Street
3260 ft · 2 min · East Main Street
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23
Turn left onto Union Street
112 m · 16 sec · Union Street
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24
Continue on Jackson Street
597 ft · 26 sec · Jackson Street
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25
Continue on Jackson Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Jackson Street
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26
Continue on Jackson Run Road Southwest
1007 ft · 47 sec · Jackson Run Road Southwest
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27
Turn left onto Charlestown Road
52 m · 8 sec · Charlestown Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Charlestown Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Charlestown.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight right
52.1 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bethesda and Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Charlestown?
The road trip is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Clear Spring is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.5 miles from Bethesda and 70.6 miles from Charlestown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.9 miles (173.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 12:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.35 one way or $40.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethesda and Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Stop Ideas Near Clear Spring
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 Clear Spring.
Hagerstown, MD
Hancock, MD
Martinsburg station
Harpers Ferry
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 107.86 mi (173.59 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 Charlestown
Town in Cecil County, Maryland
| Population | 1,202 |
| Coordinates | 39.5562000, -78.9747500 |
| Altitude | 513 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charlestown (-78.97475, 39.5562)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $20.35 | $40.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $22.90 | $45.81 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $24.67 | $49.34 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $29.78 | $59.56 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.