How far is Bethesda, MD from Cottage City, MD?

The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Cottage City, MD is about 11.1 miles (17.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 8.7 miles (14 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
11.1 mi
00h 28m
Flight
8.67 mi
13.96 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethesda.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
8.67 mi
Kilometers
13.96 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
11.1 mi
Kilometers
17.87 km
Drive Time
00h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottage City
Sun, Apr 19, 11:42 AM EDT
Return by in Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 12:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethesda
2026-04-19T11:13
Arrive Cottage City
Sun, Apr 19, 11:42 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:28 AM to 7:28 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Bethesda
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Takoma Park
MD

City in Maryland, United States

From Bethesda
5.5 mi
00h 14m
To Cottage City
5.5 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph W
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 17 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Cottage City.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    2129 ft · 1 min · Bethesda Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue

    1035 ft · 45 sec · Wisconsin Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Montgomery Avenue

    2486 ft · 1 min · Montgomery Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto East-West Highway

    3.8 mi · 9 min · East-West Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Burlington Avenue

    895 ft · 27 sec · Burlington Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Fenton Street

    2093 ft · 1 min · Fenton Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Takoma Avenue

    1415 ft · 39 sec · Takoma Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Eastern Avenue Northwest

    1458 ft · 44 sec · Eastern Avenue Northwest

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Cedar Street Northwest

    147 m · 20 sec · Cedar Street Northwest

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Carroll Street Northwest

    660 ft · 26 sec · Carroll Street Northwest

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto Eastern Avenue Northwest

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Eastern Avenue Northwest

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Riggs Road

    881 ft · 17 sec · Riggs Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Chillum Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Chillum Road

  15. 15

    Continue on 34th Street

    638 ft · 27 sec · 34th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Windom Road

    1551 ft · 47 sec · Windom Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 38th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 38th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on 38th Avenue

    110 m · 12 sec · 38th Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Parkwood Street

    1205 ft · 53 sec · Parkwood Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Parkwood Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
180.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East-West Highway
3.76 mi · 34%
Chillum Road
2.02 mi · 18%
Eastern Avenue Northwest
1.56 mi · 14%
38th Street
0.76 mi · 7%
Montgomery Avenue
0.47 mi · 4%
Bethesda Avenue
0.4 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

East-West Highway

Turn straight onto East-West Highway

3.76 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 28m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.4 mi
8.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Takoma Park
00h 14m from Bethesda
Leave By
7:34 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Bethesda and Rain Showers near Cottage City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Cottage City?

The road trip is about 11.1 miles (17.9 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Takoma Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.5 miles from Bethesda and 5.5 miles from Cottage City.

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

The direct path is about 8.7 miles (14 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.59 one way or $3.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethesda and Rain Showers near Cottage City.

Stop Ideas Near Takoma Park

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 Takoma Park and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 6.3 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 5 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 9.8 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 4.7 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 Takoma Park.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

9 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

13 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

17 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Union Station

20 mi away
110 Callahan Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Cottage City. Straight-line distance: 8.67 mi (13.96 km).

Bethesda

#1 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Cottage City

#2 Cottage City

Town in Maryland, United States

Population1,355
Coordinates38.9381700, -76.9483100
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethesda (-77.10026, 38.98067)
End: Cottage City (-76.94831, 38.93817)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 18 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.39 gal
1.48 L · about $1.59
Round trip
$3.19
0.78 gal · 2.96 L
Estimated CO2
3.5 kg one way
Round trip: 6.9 kg / 15 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $1.59 $3.19
Mid-grade $4.60 $1.79 $3.59
Premium $4.95 $1.93 $3.86
Diesel $5.98 $2.33 $4.66

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

There is no time difference between Bethesda and Cottage City. The current time is 11:13:59.

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.