How far is Bethesda, MD from Forest Heights, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Forest Heights, MD is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13 miles (21 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Stratovolcano in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Forest Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Forest Heights.
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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 · 21 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Arlington Road
2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle
104 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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7
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
69 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.6 mi · 8 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sheridan Circle Northwest
83 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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11
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
148 m · 19 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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12
Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest
707 ft · 16 sec · 22nd Street Northwest
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13
Continue on 23rd Street Northwest
2470 ft · 50 sec · 23rd Street Northwest
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Washington Circle Northwest
700 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
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15
Exit the rotary onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
3182 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
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16
Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
2444 ft · 51 sec · 17th Street Northwest
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17
Continue on 17th Street Southwest
1609 ft · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest
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18
Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest
89 m · 10 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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19
Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest
1480 ft · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
1471 ft · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
768 ft · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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22
Take the ramp straight toward I 395 North
2465 ft · 52 sec
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23
Merge slight right onto Southwest Freeway
1105 ft · 24 sec · Southwest Freeway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Southeast Freeway
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25
Continue on Southeast Freeway
2683 ft · 56 sec · Southeast Freeway
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26
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Anacostia Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward South Capitol Street, JBAB
1271 ft · 27 sec
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28
Continue straight
996 ft · 21 sec
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29
Turn straight onto South Capitol Street Southwest
1.6 km · 2 min · South Capitol Street Southwest
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30
Continue on South Capitol Street
1 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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31
Continue on Indian Head Highway
2268 ft · 1 min · Indian Head Highway
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32
Turn left onto Livingston Road
50 m · 9 sec · Livingston Road
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33
Turn right onto Arapahoe Drive
2120 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Drive
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Arapahoe Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Forest Heights.
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.
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.6 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bethesda and Rain Showers near Forest Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Forest Heights?
The road trip is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Mount Rainier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.6 miles from Bethesda and 8.6 miles from Forest Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13 miles (21 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.45 one way or $4.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethesda and Rain Showers near Forest Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Rainier
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Rainier.
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Forest Heights. Straight-line distance: 13.04 mi (20.98 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 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Heights (-76.99803, 38.80956)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 28 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.97 | $5.94 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.59 | $7.18 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.