How far is Bethesda, MD from Thurmont, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Thurmont, MD is about 53 miles (85.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.4 miles (76.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m 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 01h 14m.
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.
Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethesda and Thurmont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Thurmont.
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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
1.6 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 270 North: Frederick
1747 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 5 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
1052 ft · 16 sec
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11
Merge slight right
21 mi · 26 min
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12
Continue on Frederick Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Frederick Freeway
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13
Continue on Catoctin Mountain Highway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Catoctin Mountain Highway
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14
Turn right onto Blue Mountain Road
693 ft · 24 sec · Blue Mountain Road
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15
Turn left onto Catoctin Furnace Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Catoctin Furnace Road
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16
Continue on Frederick Road
1 km · 1 min · Frederick Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Water Street
677 ft · 28 sec · Water Street
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18
Turn right onto East Main Street
62 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Thurmont.
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.
MD 117
Merge slight right
21 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Sunny leaving Bethesda and Sunny near Thurmont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Thurmont?
The road trip is about 53 miles (85.3 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Green Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.5 miles from Bethesda and 26.5 miles from Thurmont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.4 miles (76.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 4:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.64 one way or $15.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near Thurmont.
Stop Ideas Near Green Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Green Valley.
Frederick Airport, MD
Frederick, MD
Rockville station
Harpers Ferry
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Thurmont. Straight-line distance: 47.43 mi (76.33 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 Thurmont
Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 7,070 |
| Coordinates | 39.6237100, -77.4108200 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thurmont (-77.41082, 39.62371)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 85 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.64 | $15.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.60 | $17.20 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.26 | $18.53 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.18 | $22.37 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.