How far is Forest Heights, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Forest Heights, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13 miles (21 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Stratovolcano in the U.
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 Forest Heights and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Heights and Bethesda.
-
1
Start on Arapahoe Drive
30 m · 5 sec · Arapahoe Drive
-
2
Turn left
97 m · 12 sec
-
3
Turn straight onto Indian Head Highway
1.2 km · 2 min · Indian Head Highway
-
4
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
-
5
Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS
639 ft · 18 sec
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
870 ft · 25 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Southeast Freeway
-
9
Continue on Southwest Freeway
1540 ft · 33 sec · Southwest Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, Downtown
1102 ft · 27 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on 12th Street Northwest, Downtown
1010 ft · 25 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on D Street
156 m · 16 sec
-
13
Turn right onto 12th Street Southwest
945 ft · 31 sec · 12th Street Southwest
-
14
Turn left onto Independence Avenue Southwest
3105 ft · 1 min · Independence Avenue Southwest
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on 17th Street Southwest
1602 ft · 41 sec · 17th Street Southwest
-
16
Continue on 17th Street Northwest
2444 ft · 54 sec · 17th Street Northwest
-
17
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
2919 ft · 60 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
-
18
Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest
2750 ft · 1 min · 22nd Street Northwest
-
19
Turn left onto P Street Northwest
64 m · 8 sec · P Street Northwest
-
20
Turn right
159 m · 19 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest
1135 ft · 28 sec · Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest
-
22
Turn slight right onto Massachusetts Avenue
1075 ft · 26 sec
-
23
Continue on Waterside Drive Northwest
1033 ft · 35 sec · Waterside Drive Northwest
-
24
Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.1 mi · 6 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
-
25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
65 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
-
26
Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
-
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle
61 m · 3 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
-
28
Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue
-
29
Turn right onto Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway
-
30
Turn right onto Arlington Road
2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road
-
31
Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
-
32
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Heights 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.
Southeast Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Freeway
2.3 mi · 00h 04m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Forest 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 Forest Heights to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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 8.5 miles from Forest Heights and 23.2 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13 miles (21 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 7:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.58 one way or $9.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Forest 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.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Rainier.
Washington Union Station
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Heights and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 13.04 mi (20.98 km).
#1 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| 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: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.58 | $9.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.15 | $10.30 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.55 | $11.10 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.70 | $13.40 |
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.