How far is Bethesda, MD from Waldorf, MD?
The driving distance from Bethesda, MD to Waldorf, MD is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.1 miles (42 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m 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 05m.
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 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 Waldorf.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda and Waldorf.
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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 · 21 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Arlington Road
2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle
104 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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7
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
69 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.6 mi · 8 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sheridan Circle Northwest
83 m · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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11
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
148 m · 19 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
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12
Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest
707 ft · 16 sec · 22nd Street Northwest
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13
Continue on 23rd Street Northwest
2470 ft · 50 sec · 23rd Street Northwest
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Washington Circle Northwest
700 ft · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
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15
Exit the rotary onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
3182 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
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16
Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
2444 ft · 51 sec · 17th Street Northwest
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17
Continue on 17th Street Southwest
1609 ft · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest
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18
Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest
89 m · 10 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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19
Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest
1480 ft · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
1471 ft · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Maine Avenue Southwest
768 ft · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest
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22
Take the ramp straight toward I 395 North
2465 ft · 52 sec
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23
Merge slight right onto Southwest Freeway
1105 ft · 24 sec · Southwest Freeway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Southeast Freeway
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25
Continue on Southeast Freeway
2683 ft · 56 sec · Southeast Freeway
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26
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
5.7 mi · 8 min · Anacostia Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Indian Head
1.6 km · 2 min
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28
Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South
1391 ft · 34 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway
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30
Continue on Berry Road
3.9 mi · 6 min · Berry Road
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31
Turn right onto Middletown Road
1396 ft · 34 sec · Middletown Road
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32
Turn left onto McDaniel Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · McDaniel Road
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33
At the end of the road, turn left onto Smallwood Drive West
748 ft · 28 sec · Smallwood Drive West
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34
Turn left onto Lancaster Circle
1605 ft · 1 min · Lancaster Circle
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lancaster Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethesda and Waldorf.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Indian Head Highway
Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway
9.59 mi · 00h 14m
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 Waldorf.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethesda to Waldorf?
The road trip is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Forest Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from Bethesda and 17.8 miles from Waldorf.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.1 miles (42 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.11 one way or $10.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethesda and Sunny near Waldorf.
Stop Ideas Near Forest Heights
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Forest Heights.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethesda and Waldorf. Straight-line distance: 26.09 mi (41.99 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 Waldorf
Census designated place
| Population | 67,752 |
| Coordinates | 38.6245600, -76.9391400 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waldorf (-76.93914, 38.62456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.11 | $10.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.75 | $11.50 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.19 | $12.39 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.48 | $14.95 |
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.