How far is District Heights, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from District Heights, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 14.2 miles (22.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
28.73 mi
00h 41m
Flight
14.17 mi
22.8 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from District Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
14.17 mi
Kilometers
22.8 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.73 mi
Kilometers
46.23 km
Drive Time
00h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 5:17 PM EDT
Return by in District Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 5:59 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave District Heights
2026-04-19T16:35
Arrive Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 5:17 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:42 AM to 7:42 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:06 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in District Heights
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mount Rainier
MD

Stratovolcano in the U.

From District Heights
8.9 mi
00h 20m
To Bethesda
19.8 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph W
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between District Heights and Bethesda.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between District Heights and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on Gateway Boulevard

    3004 ft · 1 min · Gateway Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto County Road

    13 m · 8 sec · County Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Marlboro Pike

    578 ft · 15 sec · Marlboro Pike

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Old Silver Hill Road

    2196 ft · 1 min · Old Silver Hill Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Silver Hill Road

    643 ft · 20 sec · Silver Hill Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    4.4 mi · 9 min · Pennsylvania Avenue

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Southeast Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Southeast Boulevard

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward I 695 West

    1555 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Southeast Freeway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Southwest Freeway

    1540 ft · 33 sec · Southwest Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

    1102 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

    1010 ft · 25 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on D Street

    156 m · 16 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 12th Street Southwest

    945 ft · 31 sec · 12th Street Southwest

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Independence Avenue Southwest

    3105 ft · 1 min · Independence Avenue Southwest

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on 17th Street Southwest

    1602 ft · 41 sec · 17th Street Southwest

  17. 17

    Continue on 17th Street Northwest

    2444 ft · 54 sec · 17th Street Northwest

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

    2919 ft · 60 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest

    2750 ft · 1 min · 22nd Street Northwest

  20. 20

    Turn left onto P Street Northwest

    64 m · 8 sec · P Street Northwest

  21. 21

    Turn right

    159 m · 19 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

    1135 ft · 28 sec · Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

  23. 23

    Turn slight right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1075 ft · 26 sec

  24. 24

    Continue on Waterside Drive Northwest

    1033 ft · 35 sec · Waterside Drive Northwest

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    2.1 mi · 6 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  26. 26

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    65 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  27. 27

    Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  28. 28

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle

    61 m · 3 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  29. 29

    Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn right onto Little Falls Parkway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Arlington Road

    2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road

  32. 32

    Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  33. 33

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between District Heights and Bethesda.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
34 steps
22 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
118.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Avenue
4.37 mi · 15%
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
3.25 mi · 11%
Little Falls Parkway
1.36 mi · 5%
Southeast Freeway
1.07 mi · 4%
Massachusetts Avenue
0.93 mi · 3%
Southeast Boulevard
0.79 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Pennsylvania Avenue

Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

4.37 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 41m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
14.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Rainier
00h 20m from District Heights
Leave By
7:06 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving District Heights 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 District Heights to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?

Mount Rainier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.9 miles from District Heights and 19.8 miles from Bethesda.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 14.2 miles (22.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.13 one way or $8.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around District Heights and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near Mount Rainier

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Mount Rainier and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 1.3 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 2 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 4.3 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 8.9 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Rainier.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

6 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

9 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Union Station

17 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

22 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between District Heights and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 14.17 mi (22.8 km).

District Heights

#1 District Heights

City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population5,979
Coordinates38.8576100, -76.8894200
Altitude81
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: Gateway Boulevard (-76.88942, 38.857677)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 46 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
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.

One-way fuel
1.01 gal
3.84 L · about $4.13
Round trip
$8.25
2.02 gal · 7.68 L
Estimated CO2
9 kg one way
Round trip: 18 kg / 40 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.13 $8.25
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.64 $9.29
Premium $4.95 $5.00 $10.01
Diesel $5.98 $6.04 $12.08

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

There is no time difference between District Heights and Bethesda. The current time is 16:35:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.