How far is Bethesda, MD from Kensington, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Kensington, MD is about 4.4 miles (7.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 3.4 miles (5.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 20m 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 10m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Kensington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Kensington.
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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
2178 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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9
Continue on Connecticut Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Connecticut Avenue
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Connecticut Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Kensington.
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.
Connecticut Avenue
Continue on Connecticut Avenue
1.48 mi · 00h 03m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bethesda and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kensington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Kensington?
The road trip is about 4.4 miles (7.1 km) and usually takes 00h 10m 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?
North Chevy Chase is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.2 miles from Bethesda and 2.2 miles from Kensington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 3.4 miles (5.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.65 one way or $1.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bethesda and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kensington.
Stop Ideas Near North Chevy Chase
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 North Chevy Chase.
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Kensington. Straight-line distance: 3.36 mi (5.41 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 Kensington
Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,330 |
| Coordinates | 39.0256700, -77.0763700 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kensington (-77.07637, 39.02567)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 7 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $0.65 | $1.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $0.74 | $1.47 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $0.79 | $1.59 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $0.96 | $1.91 |
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 · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.