How far is Forest Heights, MD from North Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Forest Heights, MD to North Bethesda, MD is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.5 miles (28.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m 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 45m.
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.
Unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Heights and North Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Heights and North Bethesda.
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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
1751 ft · 53 sec · Indian Head Highway
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4
Continue on Indian Head Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Alexandria, Richmond
1487 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
8.6 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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8
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
16 mi · 19 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 270: Rockville, Frederick
1.5 km · 1 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Democracy Boulevard
1063 ft · 26 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Democracy Boulevard East
795 ft · 21 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Democracy Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · Democracy Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto Old Georgetown Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Old Georgetown Road
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15
Turn right onto Nicholson Lane
710 ft · 22 sec · Nicholson Lane
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16
Turn right onto Commonwealth Drive
106 m · 18 sec · Commonwealth Drive
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17
Turn right onto Tudor Lane
103 m · 16 sec · Tudor Lane
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18
Continue on Tudor Lane
45 m · 7 sec · Tudor Lane
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tudor Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Heights and North 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.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
16 mi · 00h 19m
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 near North Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Heights to North Bethesda?
The road trip is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Brookmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.4 miles from Forest Heights and 16.5 miles from North Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.5 miles (28.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 $4.74 one way or $9.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Forest Heights and Rain Showers near North Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Brookmont
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
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brookmont.
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
New Carrollton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Heights and North Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 17.49 mi (28.14 km).
#1 Forest Heights
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,558 |
| Coordinates | 38.8095600, -76.9980300 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North Bethesda
A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 43,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.0445500, -77.1188700 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Bethesda (-77.11887, 39.04455)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.33 | $10.67 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.75 | $11.49 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.94 | $13.87 |
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.