How far is Bethesda, MD from Riva, MD?

The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Riva, MD is about 34.6 miles (55.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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
34.6 mi
00h 53m
Flight
28.12 mi
45.26 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
28.12 mi
Kilometers
45.26 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34.6 mi
Kilometers
55.68 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riva
Sat, Nov 7, 12:07 PM EST
Return by in Bethesda
Sat, Nov 7, 1:00 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethesda
2026-11-07T11:14
Arrive Riva
Sat, Nov 7, 12:07 PM EST
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM EST

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

Leave by
4:44 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
New Carrollton
MD

City in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From Bethesda
17.3 mi
00h 26m
To Riva
17.3 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
7 to 14 mph NW
Destination
59°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
9 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    14.4 mi · 18 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · John Hanson Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 424: Davidsonville, Crofton

    2824 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 424 South: Davidsonville Road, Davidsonville

    1273 ft · 31 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Davidsonville Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Davidsonville Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Governor Bridge Road

    2.7 mi · 7 min · Governor Bridge Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Riva Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Riva Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Tudor Hall Road

    35 m · 5 sec · Tudor Hall Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tudor Hall Road

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
54.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
14.4 mi · 42%
John Hanson Highway
10.4 mi · 30%
Governor Bridge Road
2.75 mi · 8%
Riva Road
1.12 mi · 3%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 3%
Davidsonville Road
1.09 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

14.4 mi · 00h 18m

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.5 mi
28.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Carrollton
00h 26m from Bethesda
Leave By
4:44 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bethesda and Sunny near Riva.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 34.6 miles (55.7 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

New Carrollton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.3 miles from Bethesda and 17.3 miles from Riva.

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

The direct path is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 4:44 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.81 one way or $9.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near Riva.

Stop Ideas Near New Carrollton

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around New Carrollton and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 9 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8.3 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 9.8 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 4.4 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Carrollton.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

2 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

14 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

24 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

26 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Riva. Straight-line distance: 28.12 mi (45.26 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 Riva

Riva is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.9520600, -76.5780200
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethesda (-77.10026, 38.98067)
End: Riva (-76.57802, 38.95206)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 56 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.22 gal
4.62 L · about $4.81
Round trip
$9.62
2.44 gal · 9.24 L
Estimated CO2
10.8 kg one way
Round trip: 21.7 kg / 48 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.94 $4.81 $9.62
Mid-grade $4.56 $5.56 $11.13
Premium $4.88 $5.95 $11.91
Diesel $6.29 $7.68 $15.36

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethesda and Riva. The current time is 11:14:44.

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.