How far is Bowie, MD from Charlestown, MD?
The driving distance from Bowie, MD to Charlestown, MD is about 162.9 miles (262.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Washington County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bowie and Charlestown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowie and Charlestown.
-
1
Start on the route
33 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn right
79 m · 21 sec
-
3
Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway
968 ft · 34 sec · Evergreen Parkway
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Collington Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Collington Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West: Washington
2283 ft · 56 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · John Hanson Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
2347 ft · 57 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
3221 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.9 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North: Frederick
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North
7 mi · 10 min
-
13
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
-
14
Merge slight right
21 mi · 26 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
1986 ft · 31 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Hagerstown
1899 ft · 29 sec
-
17
Merge slight right
52.1 mi · 56 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on US 40, I 68: Cumberland
45.4 mi · 52 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward MD 36: Westernport, Frostburg
1983 ft · 49 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on MD 36 South: Westernport
84 m · 7 sec
-
21
Turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
3.6 mi · 6 min · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
-
22
Turn slight left onto Paradise Street Southwest
1 km · 2 min · Paradise Street Southwest
-
23
At the end of the road, turn left onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
1579 ft · 38 sec · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
-
24
Continue on Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
1.7 mi · 4 min · Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
-
25
Continue on East Main Street
3260 ft · 2 min · East Main Street
-
26
Turn left onto Union Street
112 m · 16 sec · Union Street
-
27
Continue on Jackson Street
597 ft · 26 sec · Jackson Street
-
28
Continue on Jackson Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Jackson Street
-
29
Continue on Jackson Run Road Southwest
1007 ft · 47 sec · Jackson Run Road Southwest
-
30
Turn left onto Charlestown Road
52 m · 8 sec · Charlestown Road
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Charlestown Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowie and Charlestown.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight right
52.1 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bowie and Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowie to Charlestown?
The road trip is about 162.9 miles (262.2 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Funkstown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.4 miles from Bowie and 81.5 miles from Charlestown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.49 one way or $46.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bowie and Rain Showers near Charlestown.
Stop Ideas Near Funkstown
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 Funkstown.
Hagerstown, MD
Martinsburg station
Harpers Ferry
Frederick, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowie and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 127.35 mi (204.95 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 Charlestown
Town in Cecil County, Maryland
| Population | 1,202 |
| Coordinates | 39.5562000, -78.9747500 |
| Altitude | 513 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charlestown (-78.97475, 39.5562)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.49 | $46.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.44 | $52.89 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $28.49 | $56.97 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $34.39 | $68.77 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.