How far is Bethesda, MD from Towson, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Towson, MD is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m 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 12m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Howard 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 Towson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Towson.
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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
1615 ft · 39 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
1292 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Columbia
1158 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Colesville Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Colesville Road
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13
Continue on Columbia Pike
21.3 mi · 30 min · Columbia Pike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Baltimore
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie
1056 ft · 16 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 695 North: New York, Towson
1.2 km · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
12.5 mi · 17 min · Baltimore Beltway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MD 45 South: York Road, Towson
1245 ft · 50 sec
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20
Turn left onto West Road
580 ft · 26 sec · West Road
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21
Turn right onto York Road
1.4 km · 2 min · York Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Towson Roundabout
29 m · 2 sec · York Road
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23
Exit the rotary onto York Road
152 m · 16 sec · York Road
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24
Continue on York Road
156 m · 22 sec · York Road
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25
Turn right onto Shealy Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Shealy Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shealy Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Towson.
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.
Columbia Pike
Continue on Columbia Pike
21.3 mi · 00h 30m
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 Towson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Towson?
The road trip is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Ellicott City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Bethesda and 24.2 miles from Towson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near Towson.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Towson. Straight-line distance: 39.47 mi (63.52 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 Towson
Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| Population | 55,197 |
| Coordinates | 39.4015000, -76.6019100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Towson (-76.60191, 39.4015)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.99 | $13.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.47 | $16.94 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.23 | $20.45 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.