How far is Catonsville, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Catonsville, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 33.7 miles (54.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.2 miles (45.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Catonsville and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catonsville and Bethesda.
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1
Start on the route
11 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto Frederick Road
47 m · 9 sec · Frederick Road
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3
Turn right onto Bloomsbury Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Bloomsbury Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Rolling Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South Rolling Road
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5
Continue on South Rolling Road
1657 ft · 39 sec · South Rolling Road
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6
Turn left onto I 195 East
1.2 km · 47 sec
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
2757 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 22 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
1 km · 1 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
1.3 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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14
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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16
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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17
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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19
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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20
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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21
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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22
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Catonsville and Bethesda.
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.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Catonsville and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Catonsville to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 33.7 miles (54.2 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?
West Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.8 miles from Catonsville and 16.9 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.2 miles (45.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.86 one way or $9.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Catonsville and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near West Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Rockville City Hall
D C Government
City of Bowie
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Laurel.
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Catonsville and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 28.2 mi (45.38 km).
#1 Catonsville
A city in Baltimore County, Maryland.
| Population | 41,567 |
| Coordinates | 39.2720500, -76.7319200 |
| Altitude | 146 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bethesda
A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 62,448 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -77.1002600 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.86 | $9.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.47 | $10.95 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.90 | $11.79 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.12 | $14.23 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.