How far is Bethesda, MD from Frederick, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Frederick, MD is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 46m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Frederick.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Frederick.
-
1
Start on the route
14 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 25 sec · Bethesda Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
-
4
Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane
1451 ft · 51 sec · Edgemoor Lane
-
5
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
-
6
Continue on Rockville Pike
1.6 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike
-
7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 270 North: Frederick
1747 ft · 33 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 5 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
1052 ft · 16 sec
-
11
Merge slight right
20.1 mi · 25 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 85: Frederick, Buckeystown
1678 ft · 49 sec
-
13
Turn right onto Buckeystown Pike
1.3 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike
-
14
Continue on Buckeystown Pike
1354 ft · 31 sec · Buckeystown Pike
-
15
Continue on East Street
773 ft · 15 sec · East Street
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street
36 m · 2 sec · East Street
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto East Street
1640 ft · 33 sec · East Street
-
18
Turn left onto East South Street
610 ft · 24 sec · East South Street
-
19
Turn right onto South Carroll Street
1280 ft · 45 sec · South Carroll Street
-
20
Turn left onto East Patrick Street
812 ft · 25 sec · East Patrick Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Patrick Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Frederick.
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.
MD 117
Merge slight right
20.1 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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bethesda and Rain Showers Likely near Frederick.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Frederick?
The road trip is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Germantown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.4 miles from Bethesda and 20.5 miles from Frederick.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.60 one way or $11.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bethesda and Rain Showers Likely near Frederick.
Stop Ideas Near Germantown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
City of Rockville City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Germantown.
Rockville station
Frederick Airport, MD
Frederick, MD
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Frederick. Straight-line distance: 34.26 mi (55.13 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 Frederick
The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.
| Population | 73,308 |
| Coordinates | 39.4142700, -77.4105400 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Patrick Street (-77.410551, 39.414165)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.60 | $11.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.79 | $13.57 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.19 | $16.39 |
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.