How far is Bethesda, MD from Friendly, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Friendly, MD is about 23.1 miles (37.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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 45m.
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.
City in Polk County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Friendly.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Friendly.
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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
5.7 mi · 8 min · Anacostia Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Indian Head
1.6 km · 2 min
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28
Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South
1391 ft · 34 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Indian Head Highway
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30
Turn left onto Old Fort Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Old Fort Road
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Fort Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Friendly.
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.
Anacostia Freeway
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
5.66 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving Bethesda and Scattered Rain Showers near Friendly.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Friendly?
The road trip is about 23.1 miles (37.2 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Hillcrest Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.6 miles from Bethesda and 11.6 miles from Friendly.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6 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 $3.31 one way or $6.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Bethesda and Scattered Rain Showers near Friendly.
Stop Ideas Near Hillcrest Heights
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 Hillcrest Heights.
Washington Union Station
Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Friendly. Straight-line distance: 17.12 mi (27.55 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 Friendly
Census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 9,250 |
| Coordinates | 38.7517800, -76.9785900 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: Friendly (-76.97859, 38.75178)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.31 | $6.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.73 | $7.45 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.01 | $8.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.84 | $9.69 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.