How far is Ellicott City, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Ellicott City, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ellicott City and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellicott City and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Old Columbia Pike
1.5 mi · 4 min · Old Columbia Pike
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2
Turn slight right onto Montgomery Road
676 ft · 23 sec · Montgomery Road
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3
Take the ramp left toward US 29 South: Washington
1302 ft · 32 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
18.6 mi · 26 min · Columbia Pike
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5
Continue on Colesville Road
1 mi · 2 min · Colesville Road
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Bethesda, Northern Virginia
1912 ft · 47 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
3 mi · 4 min · Capital Beltway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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10
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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12
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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13
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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15
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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16
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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17
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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18
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ellicott City and Bethesda.
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.
Columbia Pike
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
18.6 mi · 00h 26m
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 Ellicott City and Sunny near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ellicott City to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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?
Burtonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.1 miles from Ellicott City and 14.2 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.09 one way or $8.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ellicott City and Sunny near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Burtonsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
D C Government
Gaithersburg City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burtonsville.
Rockville station
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ellicott City and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 25.58 mi (41.16 km).
#1 Ellicott City
Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 65,834 |
| Coordinates | 39.2673300, -76.7983100 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| 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: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.09 | $8.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.60 | $9.20 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.95 | $9.91 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.98 | $11.96 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.