How far is Bethesda, MD from Pasadena, MD?

The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Pasadena, MD is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
40.51 mi
00h 56m
Flight
29.71 mi
47.82 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethesda.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.71 mi
Kilometers
47.82 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.51 mi
Kilometers
65.2 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pasadena
Fri, Nov 6, 7:35 PM EST
Return by in Bethesda
Fri, Nov 6, 8:32 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethesda
2026-11-06T18:39
Arrive Pasadena
Fri, Nov 6, 7:35 PM EST
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bethesda
9:30 PM EST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
North Laurel
MD

Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States

From Bethesda
20.3 mi
00h 28m
To Pasadena
20.3 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
This Afternoon

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 4:00 PM EST
Wind
3 mph SE
Destination
67°F
This Afternoon

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 4:00 PM EST
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Pasadena.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Pasadena.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 25 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Arlington Road

    1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane

    1451 ft · 51 sec · Edgemoor Lane

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Rockville Pike

    628 ft · 20 sec · Rockville Pike

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Jones Bridge Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue

    1615 ft · 39 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring

    1292 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Baltimore

    1579 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Baltimore, New York

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    15.1 mi · 17 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie

    1 km · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    12 mi · 16 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Arundel Expressway

    1653 ft · 26 sec · Arundel Expressway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Arundel Expressway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Arundel Expressway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Ritchie Highway

    2563 ft · 42 sec · Ritchie Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left

    530 ft · 21 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Linden Avenue

    648 ft · 34 sec · Linden Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Hamburg Street

    55 m · 8 sec · Hamburg Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hamburg Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Pasadena.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
54.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
16.5 mi · 41%
MD 100 East
12.6 mi · 31%
Capital Beltway
6.55 mi · 16%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 3%
Arundel Expressway
1.04 mi · 3%
Wisconsin Avenue
0.65 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 95 North

Merge slight left

15.1 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
29.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Laurel
00h 28m from Bethesda
Leave By
4:36 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Bethesda and Scattered Rain Showers near Pasadena.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Pasadena?

The road trip is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Bethesda and 20.3 miles from Pasadena.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Bethesda and Scattered Rain Showers near Pasadena.

Stop Ideas Near North Laurel

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around North Laurel, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

16 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

21 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

25 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

29 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 29.71 mi (47.82 km).

Bethesda

#1 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Pasadena

Pasadena is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.1073300, -76.5710800
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethesda (-77.10026, 38.98067)
End: Pasadena (-76.57108, 39.10733)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.43 gal
5.41 L · about $5.66
Round trip
$11.31
2.86 gal · 10.82 L
Estimated CO2
12.7 kg one way
Round trip: 25.4 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $5.66 $11.31
Mid-grade $4.57 $6.54 $13.08
Premium $4.89 $7.00 $13.99
Diesel $6.30 $9.01 $18.02

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethesda and Pasadena. The current time is 18:39:19.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.