How far is Bowie, MD from Potomac, MD?
The driving distance from Bowie, MD to Potomac, MD is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 00h 46m.
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 Maryland, United States
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 Potomac.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowie and Potomac.
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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 · 34 sec · Evergreen Parkway
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Collington Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Collington Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West: Washington
2283 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · John Hanson Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
2347 ft · 57 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
3221 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.9 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
1.3 km · 1 min · Capital Beltway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 187: Rockville, Bethesda
1179 ft · 29 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on MD 187 North: Old Georgetown Road, Rockville
137 m · 11 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Old Georgetown Road
3019 ft · 1 min · Old Georgetown Road
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15
Turn left onto Democracy Boulevard
4.4 mi · 8 min · Democracy Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Falls Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Falls Road
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17
Turn left
25 m · 6 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowie and Potomac.
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.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
9.52 mi · 00h 12m
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 Bowie and Sunny near Potomac.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowie to Potomac?
The road trip is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Hillandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Bowie and 15.8 miles from Potomac.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 4:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.54 one way or $9.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bowie and Sunny near Potomac.
Stop Ideas Near Hillandale
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 Hillandale.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowie and Potomac. Straight-line distance: 26.22 mi (42.19 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 Potomac
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 44,965 |
| Coordinates | 39.0181700, -77.2085900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Potomac (-77.20859, 39.01817)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.54 | $9.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.10 | $10.21 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.50 | $11.00 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.64 | $13.28 |
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.