How far is Bethesda, MD from Charlestown, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Charlestown, MD is about 81.9 miles (131.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 39m 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 49m.
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 in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance 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
628 ft · 20 sec · Rockville Pike
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7
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Jones Bridge Road
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8
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
1615 ft · 39 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
1292 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Baltimore
1579 ft · 39 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
1.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
18.4 mi · 21 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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15
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.6 km · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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16
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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17
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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18
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi · 10 min · Express Toll Lanes
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20
Keep slight right
91 m · 4 sec
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21
Merge slight right onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
15.3 mi · 18 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MD 22: Aberdeen, Churchville
1572 ft · 38 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on MD 22: Aberdeen, Churchville
1329 ft · 32 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on MD 22 East: Aberdeen
100 m · 8 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on MD 22 East: Aberdeen
769 ft · 19 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Aberdeen Thruway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Aberdeen Thruway
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27
Take the exit right toward US 40 East
1225 ft · 34 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto North Philadelphia Boulevard
2562 ft · 52 sec · North Philadelphia Boulevard
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29
Continue on Pulaski Highway
9 mi · 12 min · Pulaski Highway
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30
Turn right onto West Old Philadelphia Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Old Philadelphia Road
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31
Turn right onto Baltimore Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Baltimore Street
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32
Turn left onto Cecil Street
994 ft · 27 sec · Cecil Street
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33
Continue on Market Street
794 ft · 31 sec · Market Street
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34
Turn left
79 m · 19 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
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 95 North
Merge slight left
18.4 mi · 00h 21m
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 Chance 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 81.9 miles (131.8 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?
Dundalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.9 miles from Bethesda and 41 miles from Charlestown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 2:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.81 one way or $23.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethesda and Chance Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Stop Ideas Near Dundalk
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 Dundalk.
Pennsylvania Station
BWI Rail Station
Kent Island, MD
Aberdeen
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 72.81 mi (117.18 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 | 1,198 |
| Coordinates | 39.5737300, -75.9749500 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charlestown (-75.97495, 39.57373)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 132 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.81 | $23.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.29 | $26.58 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $14.32 | $28.63 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $17.28 | $34.56 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.