How far is Chester, MD from Bowie, MD?
The driving distance from Chester, MD to Bowie, MD is about 29 miles (46.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.8 miles (38.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Bowie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Bowie.
-
1
Start on Postal Road
1773 ft · 49 sec · Postal Road
-
2
Keep slight left to continue on Postal Road
64 m · 16 sec · Postal Road
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
2469 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Castle Marina Road
83 m · 6 sec · Castle Marina Road
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto Castle Marina Road
824 ft · 23 sec · Castle Marina Road
-
6
Take the ramp straight
143 m · 11 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
14.4 mi · 21 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
-
8
Continue on John Hanson Highway
10.7 mi · 13 min · John Hanson Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward MD 3, US 301: Crofton, Richmond
906 ft · 14 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 301 South: Richmond
2207 ft · 34 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on US 301 South: Richmond
1698 ft · 42 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto North West Crain Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North West Crain Highway
-
13
Turn right onto Collington Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Collington Road
-
14
Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway
1025 ft · 40 sec · Evergreen Parkway
-
15
Turn right
79 m · 20 sec
-
16
Turn left
33 m · 8 sec
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and Bowie.
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.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
14.4 mi · 00h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Chester and Sunny near Bowie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chester to Bowie?
The road trip is about 29 miles (46.7 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Annapolis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from Chester and 14.5 miles from Bowie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.8 miles (38.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.02 one way or $8.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chester and Sunny near Bowie.
Stop Ideas Near Annapolis
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Annapolis City Hall
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Annapolis.
Kent Island, MD
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 23.79 mi (38.29 km).
#1 Chester
Chester is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.9753900, -76.2894000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $4.02 | $8.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.56 | $4.65 | $9.30 |
| Premium | $4.88 | $4.98 | $9.96 |
| Diesel | $6.29 | $6.42 | $12.84 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026