How far is Ferndale, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Ferndale, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 37 miles (59.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
37.06 mi
00h 49m
Flight
28.37 mi
45.65 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ferndale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.37 mi
Kilometers
45.65 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.06 mi
Kilometers
59.65 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Wed, May 13, 5:17 PM EDT
Return by in Ferndale
Wed, May 13, 6:07 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ferndale
2026-05-13T16:27
Arrive Bethesda
Wed, May 13, 5:17 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:50 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ferndale
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
North Laurel
MD

Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States

From Ferndale
18.5 mi
00h 24m
To Bethesda
18.5 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, May 13 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph S
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, May 13 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ferndale and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on Ferndale Road

    1.2 km · 3 min · Ferndale Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Aviation Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Aviation Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 195 West: Baltimore, Washington

    1747 ft · 42 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Metropolitan Boulevard

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Metropolitan Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Washington

    2061 ft · 50 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    19.2 mi · 22 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda

    1.3 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase

    2221 ft · 54 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase

    75 m · 8 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue

    2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Rockville Pike

    676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike

  15. 15

    Continue on Wisconsin Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Commerce Lane

    104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane

  17. 17

    Continue on Edgemoor Lane

    1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Arlington Road

    1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
56.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
19.6 mi · 53%
Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 17%
Metropolitan Boulevard
3.49 mi · 9%
Aviation Boulevard
1.69 mi · 5%
I 495 West
1.44 mi · 4%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 95 South

Merge slight left

19.2 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.7 mi
28.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Laurel
00h 24m from Ferndale
Leave By
4:50 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Ferndale and Partly Cloudy near Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ferndale to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 37 miles (59.6 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Ferndale and 18.5 miles from Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.35 one way or $10.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Ferndale and Partly Cloudy near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near North Laurel

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around North Laurel, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

16 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

21 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

25 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

29 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ferndale and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 28.37 mi (45.65 km).

Ferndale

#1 Ferndale

Town in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States

Population16,746
Coordinates39.1831600, -76.6402400
Altitude24
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

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

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: Ferndale Road (-76.640246, 39.183111)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 60 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.31 gal
4.95 L · about $5.35
Round trip
$10.71
2.62 gal · 9.9 L
Estimated CO2
11.6 kg one way
Round trip: 23.3 kg / 51 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.35 $10.71
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.02 $12.05
Premium $4.95 $6.49 $12.98
Diesel $5.98 $7.83 $15.67

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Ferndale and Bethesda. The current time is 16:27:44.

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.