How far is Charlestown, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Charlestown, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 142.7 miles (229.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.9 miles (173.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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 02h 27m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlestown and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Charlestown Road
52 m · 8 sec · Charlestown Road
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2
Turn right onto Jackson Run Road Southwest
1007 ft · 44 sec · Jackson Run Road Southwest
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3
Continue on Jackson Street
2475 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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4
Continue on Union Street
118 m · 18 sec · Union Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
3260 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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6
Continue on Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
1.7 mi · 4 min · Lower Georges Creek Road Southwest
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7
Continue on New Georges Creek Road Southwest
1579 ft · 40 sec · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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8
Turn right onto Paradise Street Southwest
1 km · 2 min · Paradise Street Southwest
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9
Turn straight onto New Georges Creek Road Southwest
3.3 mi · 5 min · New Georges Creek Road Southwest
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10
Take the ramp slight right
2717 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto National Freeway
45.7 mi · 52 min · National Freeway
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12
Continue on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.3 mi · 4 min · I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
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14
Continue on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
43.5 mi · 47 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 South: Washington
2112 ft · 52 sec
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16
Continue on Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 29 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
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17
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 9 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.5 mi · 3 min
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19
Take the exit slight left toward MD 355 South: Bethesda
2013 ft · 38 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Rockville Pike
1.6 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike
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21
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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23
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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24
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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25
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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26
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlestown and Bethesda.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
National Freeway
Merge slight left onto National Freeway
45.7 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Charlestown 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 Charlestown to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 142.7 miles (229.6 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Clear Spring is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.3 miles from Charlestown and 72.4 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.9 miles (173.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 1:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.59 one way or $41.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Charlestown and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Clear Spring
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clear Spring.
Hagerstown, MD
Hancock, MD
Martinsburg station
Harpers Ferry
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlestown and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 107.86 mi (173.59 km).
#1 Charlestown
Town in Cecil County, Maryland
| Population | 1,202 |
| Coordinates | 39.5562000, -78.9747500 |
| Altitude | 513 |
| 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: 230 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $20.59 | $41.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $24.97 | $49.94 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $30.14 | $60.28 |
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 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.