How far is Bethesda, MD from Ellicott City, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Ellicott City, MD is about 29.3 miles (47.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 00h 47m.
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 Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Ellicott City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Ellicott City.
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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
3.4 mi · 5 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Columbia
1158 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Colesville Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Colesville Road
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13
Continue on Columbia Pike
18.2 mi · 25 min · Columbia Pike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
2623 ft · 41 sec
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15
Continue straight
1056 ft · 16 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Long Gate Parkway
864 ft · 21 sec
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17
Turn right onto Long Gate Parkway
2301 ft · 1 min · Long Gate Parkway
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18
Turn left onto Montgomery Road
2556 ft · 1 min · Montgomery Road
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19
Turn right onto Old Columbia Pike
1.5 mi · 4 min · Old Columbia Pike
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Columbia Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Ellicott City.
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.
Columbia Pike
Continue on Columbia Pike
18.2 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Bethesda and Sunny near Ellicott City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Ellicott City?
The road trip is about 29.3 miles (47.2 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?
Burtonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.7 miles from Bethesda and 14.7 miles from Ellicott City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.7 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 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.25 one way or $8.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near Ellicott City.
Stop Ideas Near Burtonsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
D C Government
Gaithersburg City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burtonsville.
Rockville station
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Ellicott City. Straight-line distance: 25.58 mi (41.16 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 Ellicott City
Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 65,834 |
| Coordinates | 39.2673300, -76.7983100 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ellicott City (-76.79831, 39.26733)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.25 | $8.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.78 | $9.57 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.15 | $10.30 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.