How far is Essex, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Essex, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 46 miles (74 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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 00h 58m.
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.
Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, 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 Essex and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Bethesda.
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1
Start on the route
109 m · 32 sec
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2
Turn left
56 m · 16 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Eastern Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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4
Continue on Eastern Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Washington
1750 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight right
28.6 mi · 35 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
1 km · 1 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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13
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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15
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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16
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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18
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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19
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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20
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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21
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Bethesda.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 95 South
Keep slight right
28.6 mi · 00h 35m
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 Essex 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 Essex to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 46 miles (74 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Jessup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Essex and 23.1 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.62 one way or $13.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Essex and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Jessup
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 Jessup.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 40.48 mi (65.14 km).
#1 Essex
This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.
| Population | 1,832,752 |
| Coordinates | 39.3092700, -76.4749600 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| 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: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.62 | $13.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.45 | $14.90 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.03 | $16.05 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.69 | $19.38 |
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.