How far is Charlestown, MD from Bowie, MD?
The driving distance from Charlestown, MD to Bowie, MD is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m 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 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.
Town in Washington County, Maryland, 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 Bowie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown and Bowie.
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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
2.8 mi · 4 min
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19
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
16.3 mi · 21 min · Capital Beltway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis
1 mi · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
5.7 mi · 7 min · John Hanson Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MD 197: Bowie
2050 ft · 50 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on MD 197
83 m · 7 sec
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24
Turn straight onto Collington Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Collington Road
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25
Turn right onto Evergreen Parkway
956 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway
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26
Turn right
79 m · 20 sec
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27
Turn left
33 m · 8 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlestown and Bowie.
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 Bowie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlestown to Bowie?
The road trip is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Funkstown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Charlestown and 81.5 miles from Bowie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 12:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.45 one way or $46.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Charlestown and Rain Showers Likely near Bowie.
Stop Ideas Near Funkstown
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 Funkstown.
Hagerstown, MD
Martinsburg station
Harpers Ferry
Frederick, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlestown and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 127.35 mi (204.95 km).
#1 Charlestown
Town in Cecil County, Maryland
| Population | 1,202 |
| Coordinates | 39.5562000, -78.9747500 |
| Altitude | 513 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bowie
The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.
| Population | 58,212 |
| Coordinates | 38.9427800, -76.7302800 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.45 | $46.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.40 | $52.80 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $28.44 | $56.87 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $34.33 | $68.65 |
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.