How far is Forest Heights, MD from Bowie, MD?
The driving distance from Forest Heights, MD to Bowie, MD is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m 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 30m.
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.
Town in 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 Forest Heights and Bowie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Heights and Bowie.
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1
Start on Arapahoe Drive
30 m · 5 sec · Arapahoe Drive
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2
Turn left
97 m · 12 sec
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3
Turn straight onto Indian Head Highway
1.2 km · 2 min · Indian Head Highway
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4
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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5
Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS
639 ft · 18 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
870 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway
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9
Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis
1348 ft · 33 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
10.5 mi · 12 min · John Hanson Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 197: Bowie
2050 ft · 50 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on MD 197
83 m · 7 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Collington Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Collington Road
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15
Turn right onto Evergreen Parkway
956 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway
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16
Turn right
79 m · 20 sec
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17
Turn left
33 m · 8 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Heights and Bowie.
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.
John Hanson Highway
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
10.5 mi · 00h 12m
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 Bowie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Heights to Bowie?
The road trip is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Cheverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.8 miles from Forest Heights and 14 miles from Bowie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 7:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.55 one way or $7.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Forest Heights and Rain Showers Likely near Bowie.
Stop Ideas Near Cheverly
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 Cheverly.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Heights and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 17.09 mi (27.51 km).
#1 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bowie
The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.
| Population | 58,212 |
| Coordinates | 38.9427800, -76.7302800 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.31 | $8.62 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.20 | $10.41 |
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.