How far is Bethesda, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Essex, MD is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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 58m.
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.
Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Essex.
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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
26.7 mi · 32 min
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14
Keep slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
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17
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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18
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
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20
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Essex.
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
26.7 mi · 00h 32m
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 Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Essex?
The road trip is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Jessup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Bethesda and 22.9 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 4:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.62 one way or $13.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Jessup
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 Jessup.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Essex. Straight-line distance: 40.48 mi (65.14 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 Essex
This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.
| Population | 1,832,752 |
| Coordinates | 39.3092700, -76.4749600 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.474993, 39.309318)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.62 | $13.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.45 | $14.90 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.03 | $16.05 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.69 | $19.38 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.