How far is Bowie, MD from South Kensington, MD?
The driving distance from Bowie, MD to South Kensington, MD is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.5 miles (31.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Prince George's 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 South Kensington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowie and South Kensington.
-
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
7.4 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on MD 185 North: Connecticut Avenue North, Kensington, Beach Drive
88 m · 7 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto Connecticut Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Connecticut Avenue
-
14
Turn slight left
55 m · 8 sec
-
15
Turn left onto Franklin Street
152 m · 16 sec · Franklin Street
-
16
Turn right
45 m · 11 sec
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowie and South Kensington.
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
7.44 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bowie and Rain Showers near South Kensington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowie to South Kensington?
The road trip is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Greenbelt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from Bowie and 12.1 miles from South Kensington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.5 miles (31.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.47 one way or $6.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bowie and Rain Showers near South Kensington.
Stop Ideas Near Greenbelt
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 Greenbelt.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
BWI Rail Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowie and South Kensington. Straight-line distance: 19.5 mi (31.39 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 South Kensington
Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States of America
| Population | 8,462 |
| Coordinates | 39.0190000, -77.0799800 |
| Altitude | 86 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Kensington (-77.07998, 39.019)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.47 | $6.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.08 | $10.17 |
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.