How far is Bethesda, MD from Clinton, MD?

The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Clinton, MD is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m 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
21.93 mi
00h 47m
Flight
18.44 mi
29.67 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
18.44 mi
Kilometers
29.67 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.93 mi
Kilometers
35.29 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clinton
Tue, Apr 21, 3:35 PM EDT
Return by in Bethesda
Tue, Apr 21, 4:22 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethesda
2026-04-21T14:48
Arrive Clinton
Tue, Apr 21, 3:35 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:56 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Hillcrest Heights
MD

City in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

From Bethesda
10.9 mi
00h 23m
To Clinton
10.9 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
33°F
Overnight

Widespread Frost

Starts
Tue, Apr 21 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph N
Destination
61°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 21 2:00 PM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 21 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Arlington Road

    2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Little Falls Parkway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle

    104 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  7. 7

    Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    69 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    2.6 mi · 8 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sheridan Circle Northwest

    83 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  11. 11

    Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    148 m · 19 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest

    707 ft · 16 sec · 22nd Street Northwest

  13. 13

    Continue on 23rd Street Northwest

    2470 ft · 50 sec · 23rd Street Northwest

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Washington Circle Northwest

    700 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

  15. 15

    Exit the rotary onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

    3182 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest

    2444 ft · 51 sec · 17th Street Northwest

  17. 17

    Continue on 17th Street Southwest

    1609 ft · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest

    89 m · 10 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest

  19. 19

    Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest

    1480 ft · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest

    1471 ft · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest

    768 ft · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest

  22. 22

    Take the ramp straight toward I 395 North

    2465 ft · 52 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight right onto Southwest Freeway

    1105 ft · 24 sec · Southwest Freeway

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard

    1872 ft · 43 sec

  26. 26

    Turn right onto 11th Street Southeast

    1607 ft · 46 sec · 11th Street Southeast

  27. 27

    Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

    2387 ft · 60 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Naylor Road Southeast

    1.1 km · 2 min · Naylor Road Southeast

  30. 30

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast

    62 m · 7 sec · Southern Avenue Southeast

  31. 31

    Continue on Naylor Road

    1522 ft · 53 sec · Naylor Road

  32. 32

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road

    32 m · 2 sec · Naylor Road

  33. 33

    Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road

    118 m · 11 sec · Naylor Road

  34. 34

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road

    34 m · 3 sec · Naylor Road

  35. 35

    Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road

    1001 ft · 30 sec · Naylor Road

  36. 36

    Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue

    1654 ft · 48 sec · Branch Avenue

  37. 37

    Keep slight right to continue on Branch Avenue

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Branch Avenue

  38. 38

    Take the exit slight right toward Old Branch Avenue, Kirby Road

    952 ft · 25 sec

  39. 39

    Turn straight onto Old Branch Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Old Branch Avenue

  40. 40

    Turn right onto Piscataway Road

    21 m · 7 sec · Piscataway Road

  41. 41

    Turn left

    13 m · 3 sec

  42. 42

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
42 steps
26 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
17
2 merges, 15 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
191.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Branch Avenue
5.18 mi · 24%
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
3.88 mi · 18%
Old Branch Avenue
1.71 mi · 8%
Little Falls Parkway
1.36 mi · 6%
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.24 mi · 6%
Southeast Freeway
1.17 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Branch Avenue

Keep slight right to continue on Branch Avenue

4.87 mi · 00h 07m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.4 mi
18.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillcrest Heights
00h 23m from Bethesda
Leave By
4:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost leaving Bethesda and Sunny near Clinton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Hillcrest Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.9 miles from Bethesda and 10.9 miles from Clinton.

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

The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 4:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.15 one way or $6.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost around Bethesda and Sunny near Clinton.

Stop Ideas Near Hillcrest Heights

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 Hillcrest Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 0.7 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 2 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 3 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 8.5 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 Hillcrest Heights.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

8 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

9 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

New Carrollton station

16 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

27 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Clinton. Straight-line distance: 18.44 mi (29.67 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 Clinton

Clinton is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.7651100, -76.8983100
Altitude76
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethesda (-77.10026, 38.98067)
End: Clinton (-76.89831, 38.76511)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 35 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.77 gal
2.93 L · about $3.15
Round trip
$6.29
1.54 gal · 5.86 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.7 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.15 $6.29
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.54 $7.08
Premium $4.95 $3.81 $7.63
Diesel $5.98 $4.60 $9.21

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 21, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethesda and Clinton. The current time is 14:48:34.

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.