How far is California, MD from North Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from California, MD to North Bethesda, MD is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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 California and North Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California and North Bethesda.
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1
Start on Shady Mile Drive
995 ft · 48 sec · Shady Mile Drive
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2
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 31 min · Three Notch Road
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3
Continue on Leonardtown Road
10.6 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road
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4
Turn right onto Mattawoman Beantown Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road
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5
Merge slight left onto Crain Highway
2.5 mi · 4 min · Crain Highway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Branch Avenue
9 mi · 12 min · Branch Avenue
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
2193 ft · 53 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
18.3 mi · 25 min · Capital Beltway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
9.2 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 355: Bethesda, Rockville
1995 ft · 38 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Rockville Pike
1.8 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike
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12
Turn left onto Nicholson Lane
1816 ft · 1 min · Nicholson Lane
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13
Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive
106 m · 18 sec · Commonwealth Drive
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14
Turn right onto Tudor Lane
103 m · 16 sec · Tudor Lane
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15
Continue on Tudor Lane
45 m · 7 sec · Tudor Lane
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tudor Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between California and North Bethesda.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Three Notch Road
Turn right onto Three Notch Road
21.7 mi · 00h 31m
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 California and Sunny near North Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from California to North Bethesda?
The road trip is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Brandywine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from California and 39.5 miles from North Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 3:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.32 one way or $22.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around California and Sunny near North Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Brandywine
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Alexandria Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brandywine.
Union Station
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between California and North Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 61.09 mi (98.31 km).
#1 California
California is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3004000, -76.5074500 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North Bethesda
A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 43,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.0445500, -77.1188700 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tudor Lane (-77.119003, 39.044548)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.32 | $22.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $12.74 | $25.48 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $13.72 | $27.45 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $16.56 | $33.13 |
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.