How far is Glenarden, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Glenarden, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 21.1 miles (34 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m 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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Glenarden and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenarden and Bethesda.
-
1
Start on McLain Avenue
611 ft · 25 sec · McLain Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Brightseat Road
2918 ft · 1 min · Brightseat Road
-
3
Turn sharp left onto Ardwick Ardmore Road
846 ft · 27 sec · Ardwick Ardmore Road
-
4
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Highway
1933 ft · 35 sec · Martin Luther King Jr. Highway
-
5
Turn left onto Whitfield Chapel Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Whitfield Chapel Road
-
6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Annapolis Road
2025 ft · 46 sec · Annapolis Road
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
1747 ft · 43 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
-
12
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
-
13
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
-
14
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
-
15
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
-
16
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
-
17
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
-
18
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
-
19
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
-
20
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Glenarden 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.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
7.44 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Glenarden 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 Glenarden to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 21.1 miles (34 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Hillandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.3 miles from Glenarden and 10.9 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 7:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.02 one way or $6.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Glenarden and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Hillandale
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 Hillandale.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Glenarden and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 13.3 mi (21.41 km).
#1 Glenarden
City in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 6,151 |
| Coordinates | 38.9292800, -76.8616400 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| 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: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.02 | $6.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.40 | $6.81 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.67 | $7.33 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.43 | $8.85 |
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.