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

The driving distance from District Heights, MD to Bowie, MD is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 10.4 miles (16.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m 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
17.6 mi
00h 24m
Flight
10.38 mi
16.71 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from District Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
10.38 mi
Kilometers
16.71 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
17.6 mi
Kilometers
28.32 km
Drive Time
00h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bowie
Sun, Apr 19, 3:38 PM EDT
Return by in District Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 4:03 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave District Heights
2026-04-19T15:13
Arrive Bowie
Sun, Apr 19, 3:38 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:25 AM to 7:25 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:40 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
Glenarden
MD

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

From District Heights
7.4 mi
00h 12m
To Bowie
10.2 mi
00h 12m

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
70°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Gateway Boulevard

    34 m · 5 sec · Gateway Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Breton Drive

    906 ft · 42 sec · Breton Drive

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward District Heights Parkway

    55 m · 6 sec · District Heights Parkway

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto District Heights Parkway

    1162 ft · 32 sec · District Heights Parkway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Rochell Avenue

    2012 ft · 1 min · Rochell Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Walker Mill Road

    973 ft · 16 sec · Walker Mill Road

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Addison Road South

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Addison Road South

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Highway

    4.6 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr. Highway

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    3053 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    4.9 mi · 6 min · John Hanson Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 197: Bowie

    2050 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 197

    83 m · 7 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Collington Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Collington Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Evergreen Parkway

    956 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway

  15. 15

    Turn right

    79 m · 20 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
96.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John Hanson Highway
4.87 mi · 28%
Martin Luther King Jr. Highway
4.63 mi · 26%
Addison Road South
2.27 mi · 13%
Collington Road
0.79 mi · 4%
US 50 East
0.58 mi · 3%
MD 197
0.44 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

John Hanson Highway

Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

4.87 mi · 00h 06m

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 24m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
10.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glenarden
00h 12m from District Heights
Leave By
7:40 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving District Heights 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 District Heights to Bowie?

The road trip is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?

Glenarden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.4 miles from District Heights and 10.2 miles from Bowie.

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

The direct path is about 10.4 miles (16.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.53 one way or $5.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Glenarden

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 Glenarden and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 9 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 8.4 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 9.3 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 5.5 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 Glenarden.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

3 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

13 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

22 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

30 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between District Heights and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 10.38 mi (16.71 km).

District Heights

#1 District Heights

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

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

#2 Bowie

The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Population58,212
Coordinates38.9427800, -76.7302800
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
Start: Gateway Boulevard (-76.88942, 38.857677)
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 28 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.62 gal
2.35 L · about $2.53
Round trip
$5.07
1.24 gal · 4.7 L
Estimated CO2
5.5 kg one way
Round trip: 11 kg / 24 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $2.53 $5.07
Mid-grade $4.60 $2.85 $5.70
Premium $4.95 $3.07 $6.14
Diesel $5.98 $3.71 $7.42

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 Bowie. The current time is 15:13:52.

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.