How far is Brandywine, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Brandywine, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.9 miles (38.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
40.19 mi
00h 55m
Flight
23.86 mi
38.4 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Brandywine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.86 mi
Kilometers
38.4 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.19 mi
Kilometers
64.68 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 6:37 AM EDT
Return by in Brandywine
Sun, Apr 19, 7:33 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Brandywine
2026-04-19T05:42
Arrive Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 6:37 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Brandywine
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Hillcrest Heights
MD

City in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

From Brandywine
14 mi
00h 27m
To Bethesda
26.2 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph W
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Brandywine and Bethesda.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brandywine and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on Brandywine Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Brandywine Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp straight

    1274 ft · 35 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue

    10.7 mi · 15 min · Branch Avenue

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Branch Avenue

    2162 ft · 39 sec · Branch Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the exit left

    982 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Naylor Road

    39 m · 3 sec · Naylor Road

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road

    116 m · 13 sec · Naylor Road

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Naylor Road

    15 m · 1 sec · Naylor Road

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road

    1543 ft · 51 sec · Naylor Road

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    90 m · 10 sec

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast

    1.1 km · 2 min · Naylor Road Southeast

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

    2387 ft · 54 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

  14. 14

    Continue on 11th Street Southeast

    1754 ft · 52 sec · 11th Street Southeast

  15. 15

    Take the ramp left toward I 695 West

    1555 ft · 30 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Southeast Freeway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway

  17. 17

    Continue on Southwest Freeway

    1540 ft · 33 sec · Southwest Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

    1102 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

    1010 ft · 25 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on D Street

    156 m · 16 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 12th Street Southwest

    945 ft · 31 sec · 12th Street Southwest

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Independence Avenue Southwest

    3105 ft · 1 min · Independence Avenue Southwest

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on 17th Street Southwest

    1602 ft · 41 sec · 17th Street Southwest

  24. 24

    Continue on 17th Street Northwest

    2444 ft · 54 sec · 17th Street Northwest

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

    2919 ft · 60 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

  26. 26

    Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest

    2750 ft · 1 min · 22nd Street Northwest

  27. 27

    Turn left onto P Street Northwest

    64 m · 8 sec · P Street Northwest

  28. 28

    Turn right

    159 m · 19 sec

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

    1135 ft · 28 sec · Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

  30. 30

    Turn slight right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1075 ft · 26 sec

  31. 31

    Continue on Waterside Drive Northwest

    1033 ft · 35 sec · Waterside Drive Northwest

  32. 32

    Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    2.1 mi · 6 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  33. 33

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    65 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  34. 34

    Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  35. 35

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle

    61 m · 3 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  36. 36

    Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Little Falls Parkway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway

  38. 38

    Turn right onto Arlington Road

    2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road

  39. 39

    Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  40. 40

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Brandywine and Bethesda.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
41 steps
25 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
2 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
102 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Branch Avenue
11.3 mi · 28%
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
3.25 mi · 8%
Brandywine Road
2.15 mi · 5%
Little Falls Parkway
1.36 mi · 3%
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.24 mi · 3%
Southeast Freeway
1.07 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Branch Avenue

Merge slight left onto Branch Avenue

10.7 mi · 00h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
23.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillcrest Heights
00h 27m from Brandywine
Leave By
4:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Brandywine and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Brandywine to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Hillcrest Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14 miles from Brandywine and 26.2 miles from Bethesda.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 23.9 miles (38.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 4:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.80 one way or $11.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Brandywine and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near Hillcrest Heights

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Hillcrest Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 3.5 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 4.5 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 0.9 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 9.6 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillcrest Heights.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

8 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

9 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

New Carrollton station

16 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

27 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Brandywine and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 23.86 mi (38.4 km).

Brandywine

#1 Brandywine

Census designated place

Population6,719
Coordinates38.6967800, -76.8477500
Altitude70
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: Brandywine Road (-76.847722, 38.696984)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.42 gal
5.37 L · about $5.80
Round trip
$11.60
2.84 gal · 10.74 L
Estimated CO2
12.6 kg one way
Round trip: 25.2 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.80 $11.60
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.53 $13.06
Premium $4.95 $7.03 $14.07
Diesel $5.98 $8.49 $16.98

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

There is no time difference between Brandywine and Bethesda. The current time is 05:42:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.