How far is Bowie, MD from California, MD?
The driving distance from Bowie, MD to California, MD is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46 miles (74 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m 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 24m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bowie and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowie and California.
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1
Start on the route
33 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right
79 m · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway
968 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway
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4
Turn right onto Collington Road
1 km · 1 min · Collington Road
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5
Turn right onto North West Crain Highway
7.1 mi · 10 min · North West Crain Highway
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6
Turn left onto Village Drive West
70 m · 11 sec · Village Drive West
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7
Turn right onto Old Crain Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Crain Highway
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8
Continue on Marlboro Pike
1.2 km · 2 min · Marlboro Pike
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9
Turn right onto Green Landing Road
1334 ft · 38 sec · Green Landing Road
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10
Take the ramp left toward MD 4 South
1567 ft · 38 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Stephanie Roper Highway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Stephanie Roper Highway
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12
Continue on Southern Maryland Boulevard
10.2 mi · 14 min · Southern Maryland Boulevard
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13
Continue on North Solomons Island Road
9 mi · 13 min · North Solomons Island Road
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14
Continue on South Solomons Island Road
18.6 mi · 27 min · South Solomons Island Road
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15
Continue on Thomas Johnson Bridge
1.4 mi · 2 min · Thomas Johnson Bridge
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16
Continue on Patuxent Beach Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Patuxent Beach Road
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17
Turn left onto Three Notch Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Three Notch Road
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18
Turn left onto Shady Mile Drive
1065 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shady Mile Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowie and California.
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.
South Solomons Island Road
Continue on South Solomons Island Road
18.6 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Bowie and Sunny near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowie to California?
The road trip is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Huntingtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.1 miles from Bowie and 28.1 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46 miles (74 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 3:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.09 one way or $16.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Bowie and Sunny near California.
Stop Ideas Near Huntingtown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Huntingtown.
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Cambridge, Maryland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowie and California. Straight-line distance: 45.99 mi (74.01 km).
#1 Bowie
The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.
| Population | 58,212 |
| Coordinates | 38.9427800, -76.7302800 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.50745, 38.3004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 90 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $8.09 | $16.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $9.11 | $18.21 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.81 | $19.62 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.84 | $23.68 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.