How far is Fort Washington, MD from South Bel Air, MD?

The driving distance from Fort Washington, MD to South Bel Air, MD is about 81.2 miles (130.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 67.9 miles (109.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m 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
81.22 mi
01h 37m
Flight
67.87 mi
109.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Washington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
67.87 mi
Kilometers
109.22 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.22 mi
Kilometers
130.71 km
Drive Time
01h 37m

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 01h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Bel Air
Thu, Oct 15, 2:43 PM EDT
Return by in Fort Washington
Thu, Oct 15, 4:20 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Washington
2026-10-15T13:05
Arrive South Bel Air
Thu, Oct 15, 2:43 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Washington
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
Jessup
MD

Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Maryland, United States

From Fort Washington
39.1 mi
00h 48m
To South Bel Air
42.2 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NE
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Washington and South Bel Air.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Washington and South Bel Air.

  1. 1

    Start on Warburton Drive

    1619 ft · 1 min · Warburton Drive

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Fort Washington Road

    1544 ft · 54 sec · Fort Washington Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Old Fort Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Fort Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Indian Head Highway

    7.6 mi · 12 min · Indian Head Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on South Capitol Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS

    639 ft · 18 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North

    870 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore

    2038 ft · 25 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

    27 mi · 37 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    1327 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  15. 15

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway

  16. 16

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  17. 17

    Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel

  18. 18

    Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes

    8.5 mi · 10 min · Express Toll Lanes

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    91 m · 4 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight right onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

    7.3 mi · 8 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood

    1781 ft · 38 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 24 North: Bel Air

    825 ft · 22 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road

    3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Emmorton Road

    3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road

  27. 27

    Continue on South Main Street

    151 m · 18 sec · South Main Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto East MacPhail Road

    1341 ft · 44 sec · East MacPhail Road

  29. 29

    Turn left onto South Shamrock Road

    1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Shamrock Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Washington and South Bel Air.

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
30 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27 mi · 33%
Express Toll Lanes
8.6 mi · 11%
Indian Head Highway
7.57 mi · 9%
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
7.34 mi · 9%
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
7.03 mi · 9%
Anacostia Freeway
4.9 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Baltimore-Washington Parkway

Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway

27 mi · 00h 37m

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
01h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
67.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jessup
00h 48m from Fort Washington
Leave By
3:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Fort Washington and Mostly Sunny then Rain Showers Likely near South Bel Air.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Washington to South Bel Air?

The road trip is about 81.2 miles (130.7 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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 39.1 miles from Fort Washington and 42.2 miles from South Bel Air.

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

The direct path is about 67.9 miles (109.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 3:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.17 one way or $24.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Fort Washington and Mostly Sunny then Rain Showers Likely near South Bel Air.

Stop Ideas Near Jessup

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Jessup and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.1 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 11 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 14 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jessup.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

8 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

22 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

23 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

33 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Washington and South Bel Air. Straight-line distance: 67.87 mi (109.22 km).

Fort Washington

#1 Fort Washington

Unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Population24,183
Coordinates38.7073400, -77.0230300
Altitude32
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 South Bel Air

A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Population48,828
Coordinates39.5331600, -76.3374600
Altitude109
CountryUnited States
Start: Warburton Drive (-77.022819, 38.707437)
End: South Shamrock Road (-76.337354, 39.533192)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.87 gal
10.85 L · about $12.17
Round trip
$24.34
5.74 gal · 21.7 L
Estimated CO2
25.5 kg one way
Round trip: 51 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.24 $12.17 $24.34
Mid-grade $4.84 $13.90 $27.79
Premium $5.15 $14.77 $29.54
Diesel $6.36 $18.26 $36.52

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Washington and South Bel Air. The current time is 13:05:13.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.