How far is Bethesda, MD from Oakland, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Oakland, MD is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127 miles (204.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Oakland.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue
48 m · 10 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Clarendon Road
701 ft · 31 sec · Clarendon Road
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4
Continue on Fairfax Road
140 m · 23 sec · Fairfax Road
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5
Turn right onto Bradley Boulevard
1667 ft · 49 sec · Bradley Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto Goldsboro Road
2 mi · 5 min · Goldsboro Road
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7
Turn slight right onto MacArthur Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · MacArthur Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto Clara Barton Access Road
88 m · 6 sec · Clara Barton Access Road
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9
Turn straight onto I 495: Clara Barton Parkway
1077 ft · 39 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Clara Barton Parkway
1.6 km · 1 min · Clara Barton Parkway
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11
Take the ramp straight toward Virginia Dulles Airport
2984 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 46 sec · Capital Beltway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Manassas, Front Royal
1998 ft · 49 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 66 West: Manassas, Front Royal
1517 ft · 37 sec
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16
Merge slight left
64.3 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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18
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
3.2 mi · 4 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 48, VA 55: Strasburg
1539 ft · 38 sec
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20
Keep slight right
49 m · 4 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto John Marshall Highway
8.6 mi · 10 min · John Marshall Highway
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22
Continue on Wardensville Pike
5.5 mi · 6 min · Wardensville Pike
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23
Continue straight
5 mi · 6 min
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24
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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26
Continue on Carpenter Avenue
48.9 mi · 57 min · Carpenter Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Communications Drive
893 ft · 20 sec · Communications Drive
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28
Turn right
756 ft · 23 sec
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29
Turn sharp left
4.4 mi · 8 min
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30
Turn left onto George Washington Highway
7.4 mi · 11 min · George Washington Highway
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31
Turn right onto Gorman Road
8.7 mi · 15 min · Gorman Road
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32
Continue on Lothian Street
1049 ft · 21 sec · Lothian Street
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33
Continue on East 3rd Avenue
834 ft · 18 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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34
Turn right onto Paul Street
952 ft · 25 sec · Paul Street
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35
At the end of the road, turn left onto Maryland Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Maryland Highway
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36
Continue on East Oak Street
2865 ft · 1 min · East Oak Street
-
37
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
105 m · 14 sec · South 3rd Street
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38
Turn right onto East Alder Street
30 m · 10 sec · East Alder Street
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39
Turn left
7 m · 2 sec
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Oakland.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 66 West
Merge slight left
64.3 mi · 01h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Oakland?
The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km) and usually takes 03h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sharpsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.3 miles from Bethesda and 86.5 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127 miles (204.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.92 one way or $49.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Sharpsburg
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 Sharpsburg.
Harpers Ferry
Martinsburg station
Hagerstown, MD
Frederick, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 126.98 mi (204.35 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 Oakland
Town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 1,873 |
| Coordinates | 39.4078700, -79.4067100 |
| Altitude | 731 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oakland (-79.40671, 39.40787)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $24.92 | $49.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $28.05 | $56.11 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $30.22 | $60.44 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $36.48 | $72.96 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.